When the tragedy of the Costa Concordia started to unfold. It was very real to me. My wife and I had in September taken a cruise on the Costa Cruise line. We were on a cruise to visit the Fjords in Norway. 

As I watched I noticed the side of the ship that was in the ocean was the side our stateroom was on. All I could do is imagine what if we had been on this ship? How would I have acted when faced with my “Moment of Truth?”

I watched in horror not just the fact of the people who were missing and scared but the unbelievable action taken by the captain.

Here is just part of the transcript between the Coast Guard Commander De Faco and Captain Schettino of the Costa Concordia.

De Falco: "You go aboard. It is an order. Don't make any more excuses. You have declared 'abandon ship.' Now I am in charge. You go on board! Is that clear? Do you hear me? Go, and call me when you are aboard. My air rescue crew is there."

Schettino: "Where are your rescuers?"

De Falco: "My air rescue is on the prow. Go. There are already bodies, Schettino."

Schettino: "How many bodies are there?"

De Falco: "I don't know. I have heard of one. You are the one who has to tell me how many there are. Christ."

Schettino: "But do you realize it is dark and here we can't see anything..."

De Falco: "And so what? You want to go home, Schettino? It is dark and you want to go home? Get on that prow of the boat using the pilot ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people there are and what their needs are. Now!"

As we all know he never went back to his boat. When he faced his “Moment of Truth” he acted but in a way that I’m guessing will haunt him for the rest of his life.

And this is the topic of my post: 

How have you acted in your “Moment of Truth?” 

Your moment may not have been as dramatic but consider:

I know a very successful sales professional who for 5 years never gave up on a contract with a client.

Even when they selected a competitor product he faced his “Moment of Truth” to give up and work the next deal. 

He told them why they were would be back and stayed in contact and it happened. The product they selected did not meet their needs and he got the deal.

Would you have given up?

Walt Disney in 1938 made the first full length color film “Snow White and the 7 dwarfs.” Both his brother and wife asked him not to do it. It was too risky no body will come. 

It was his “Moment of Truth”  

As we know he created the family classic and his film was the highest grossing film that year.

Would you have given up?

We all face our “Moment of Truth”...What will you do?

I’m waiting to hear and read the stories from this tragedy. I know there were ordinary people when faced with their “Moment of Truth” did not leave. They stayed and helped those that needed it.

Be the Difference,

Rich