The Miracle on the Hudson and the Culture of Mattering

Episode 561

Greatness isn’t improvised—it’s prepared in quiet moments through how we treat one another.

When US Airways Flight 1549 lost both engines just after takeoff, what followed became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. But what made that miracle possible wasn’t luck. It was leadership—rooted in trust, training, and something even deeper: mattering.

In this episode of Passion Struck, I explore what made Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s response so extraordinary—and what it teaches us about how leaders can build cultures where people are prepared to rise, not just in moments of crisis, but in the everyday challenges that shape who we become. Sully didn’t just land a plane on the Hudson River. He modeled what’s possible when people feel seen, valued, and ready—long before the pressure hits.

Because leadership is not about reacting to the moment—it’s about preparing for it by making people feel they matter every single day.

Here’s what I unpack:

Listen ad free to an inspiring story that reveals how everyday leadership choices build the strength to meet extraordinary moments.