Restoration of Notre Dame's 'Improbable' Project Highlights Essential Leadership Lesson Concerning Communication
Walt Disney once stated, "It's quite enjoyable to accomplish what people consider impossible." That's certainly true, whether it's on an individual level or as part of a team.
A fundamental aspect of inspirational leadership is driving teams to achieve more than they believed was feasible. The recent restoration and reopening of Notre Dame cathedral serve as a perfect illustration.
Remember the tale from a few years back? A blaze swept through the cathedral, making the task of restoring the iconic structure seem nearly insurmountable. The budget for this mammoth project totalled an astounding $740 million. But with the cooperation of numerous donors and workers, Notre Dame managed to make a triumphant comeback as a testament to French history and culture.
Here's the surprising twist: Following a detailed assessment of the fire damage, many experts didn't expect the cathedral to be restored and reopened by the end of 2024.
As a coach in leadership and communication, I ponder over this question: How did thousands of people muster the determination to accomplish the seemingly impossible?
Set Ambitious Goals
The individuals who rebuilt Notre Dame were driven by a powerful vision and a cause that transcended their personal interests.
In the moments following the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a challenge disguised as a pledge. "We will rebuild Notre Dame," he declared with smoke still lingering in the air. "That's what the French people expect, and that's what our history deserves," he added, standing among the ruins.
Macron's following statement was both shocking and inspiring. He asserted, "I want this to be completed within five years."
Five years? Most experts considered that a ludicrous goal at the time, publicly dismissing it as unrealistic. The media was more concerned with fueling the fire of disagreement rather than supporting the endeavour.
But something extraordinary happened almost instantly. Macron's challenge and deadline sparked an "army of artisans" to rise to the occasion and offer their skills for a cause that would outlive them.
First, donors who were moved by the cause provided financial backing for the project. The restoration attracted 340,000 donors from 150 countries. Then, these skilled artisans took charge. Two thousand architects, historians, and tradespeople worked tirelessly against the 'impossibly tight' deadline to salvage the national treasure.
When Notre Dame's reopening managed to surpass expectations, Macron reminded everyone that the five-year effort was "a challenge that many considered insane."
Inspire a Common Vision
Perhaps Macron was inspired by the history of the Apollo space program. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy declared that America would land an astronaut on the moon...by the end of the decade. Remember, NASA wasn't even in possession of a rocket capable of sending a spaceship to the moon, let alone landing on the moon and returning to Earth.
Just as experts predicted an impossible moon landing in 1961, they also provided lengthy lists of reasons why it was unachievable to the public. But the challenge, accompanied by a deadline, was enough to spark the collective imagination of thousands of others--scientists and engineers who took this challenge as an opportunity to harness their abilities for a higher purpose.
In the same vein, the artisans who rebuilt Notre Dame saw Macron's deadline as motivation.
Foster Passion and Purpose
During an interview with The New York Times, the head of construction for the restoration project maintained that the tight deadline served as motivation. "The daunting goal of uniting around 250 companies and 2,000 workers and artisans from across France, all aware that the world was watching, pushed them to give their all for the project of a lifetime," he said.
"We felt the emotion of carpenters working in harmony with their axes," shared a blacksmith who led a team. The workers found inspiration in the "rare opportunity to showcase their skills." The leader of the company responsible for most of the scaffolding added, "Everyone involved in the project, without exception, was passionate above all...It felt more like a mission than a construction project."
As a leader, your role is to transform projects into missions. "Projects" don't inspire teams to work together toward a common goal. People are driven by lofty visions and grand missions that seem nearly impossible to accomplish because they know that when the mission is completed, they'll have been part of a team that achieved what many thought impossible. And yes, that's quite enjoyable.
In the context of leadership and the restoration of Notre Dame, effective communication played a crucial role. Macron's clear and ambitious goal of rebuilding the cathedral within five years inspired a vast number of people and resources to contribute towards the cause.
Furthermore, outstanding leadership skills were evident in Macron's ability to set and convey such an ambitious goal, effectively communicating a shared vision that inspired thousands of individuals to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, ultimately achieving what many considered impossible.
