A Space Tourist Called Astronaut

People achieve great things when they see their purpose in the everyday scheme of things.

Several weeks ago, former Microsoft executive Charles Simonyi returned to earth safely as the latest space tourist. He was onboard the Russian-made spacecraft Soyuz-TMA. Simonyi is just one of a growing number of millionaires who are now relying on Russian-built rockets to realise their outer-space fantasies.

The Soyuz spacecraft has produced an international array of space tourists. This list includes Iranian Anousheh Ansari, South African Mark Shuttleworth and Malaysian Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

But the Malaysians knew better. Instead of recognising Sheikh Muszaphar as the country’s first tax-payer funded space tourist, the lad was crowned as a national hero and an astronaut.

What Sheikh Muszapahr did was no different from what any of the space tourists who had paid to get on the Soyuz had done before him – conducting packaged experiments, performing zero-gravity stunts (he is recognised as the first Malaysian to play ‘five stones’ and make aerated tea in space) and making long distance phone calls from above just to impress the folks below.

But by calling him an ‘astronaut’ instead of a ‘space tourist’, magic happened to the country.

Young boys became united in their aspirations to be like him. The media went abuzz with chants of Malaysian triumph in science and technology. The average Malay farmer gleamed with national pride, knowing that one of their own made it into outer space.

By being known as an astronaut instead of a space tourist like the rest who went before him, Sheikh Muzapahar stepped into space not just for himself, but for the purpose of captivating the entire country into believing that all is possible if they put their minds to it.

The story of how Malaysia put its first man into outer space will be studied for a long time to come as a valuable lesson - not just in the value of euphemisms, but the power of purpose as well. They have demonstrated to us remarkably well how a seemingly insignificant renaming gesture can drive the spirit of people and nations to great heights.

That is because renaming is more than just an exercise at verbal gymnastics. Applied to proper use, renaming can unleash the best in human beings by showing them the real purpose of their job.

A bus driver understands that he is holding the lives of the passengers behind him when he becomes a ‘bus captain’. An insurance agent knows very well that his recommendations will impact the financial future of his clients when he becomes a ‘financial consultant’. A space tourist knows that he carries the hopes of his entire nation as he blasts off into space as an ‘astronaut’. When you give someone purpose, he carries his work differently.

That is why I always remind my officers that they are doing more than just a ‘Rules of Origin’ audit; they are being guardians of these 3 words ‘Made in Singapore’. They are doing more than just working for Singapore Customs; they are the pillars of revenue that upholds the very foundations of this country.

So think about how you can inspire yourself and the workers under you as you see the grander vision of your role and responsibility within the big picture. A little purpose is all it takes.