When the impossible Happens: A Fresh Look at leadership Challenges

Have you ever heard of a plane colliding with a fish? It sounds unbelievable, but on 30 March 1987, an Alaskan Airlines Boeing 737 was struck by a fish mid-flight. The story goes that a startled bald eagle, carrying its catch, a salmon, accidentally dropped the fish, which then hit the plane’s windshield…fortunately no damage. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect to see in a cartoon, not in real life. Yet, it happened. What seemed impossible became reality.

So, why am I sharing this odd bit of aviation trivia? Because it’s a perfect metaphor for the challenges we face as leaders. Sometimes, we’re confronted with situations that seem just as unlikely to resolve…for example a team divided by conflict, a strategy that isn’t working, or a goal that feels completely out of reach. These moments can feel as improbable to overcome as a plane colliding with a fish.

But here’s the thing: it’s often in these moments of doubt and difficulty that true leadership shines. The real challenge isn’t to avoid problems, but to look at them from a new angle. What seems impossible might just need a shift in perspective for it to become possible. Maybe the solution is hidden in a place you haven’t looked yet, or maybe it’s about inspiring your team to see things differently.

As leaders, our greatest strength is our ability to adapt, to reframe obstacles as opportunities, and to encourage others to do the same. Whether you’re managing change, resolving conflict, or chasing ambitious goals, remember…the improbable isn’t the same as the impossible. If you’re willing to see things from another perspective, what once seemed unfixable can be transformed.

Leadership isn’t about steering clear of the unexpected; it’s about embracing it, learning from it, and guiding others through it. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to turn the impossible into possible.