Surviving Mars – and Monday Mornings

just finished reading The Martian by Andy Weir, and wow, it really hit me. I barely managed to keep up with the science (thank you, high school physics), but I was completely immersed in the struggles, the humor, and the sheer resilience of the main character.

It made me think: how would I survive in a situation like that? What skills do I actually have that would keep me alive?

The Human Side of Survival

Mark Watney, the protagonist, was chosen for the Mars mission not just because he was an engineer and a botanist, but because he was socially intelligent. He was funny, resilient, and capable of keeping the team’s morale up even in impossible conditions.

In the end, that human touch – humor, empathy, connection – was just as vital to his survival as his technical expertise.

The Finnish Focus on Rationality

In Finland, we tend to value rationality, engineering, and technical precision. We admire problem-solving, logic, and efficiency. I do too. These are deeply ingrained values in our culture and work life.

But The Martian reminded me that pure rationality doesn’t always save the day. Sometimes, survival depends on something softer – on emotional intelligence, optimism, and the ability to connect.

The Skills That Truly Keep Us Alive

Perhaps it’s time to appreciate “soft” leadership a bit more: the ability to communicate, to support others, to stay grounded and positive in difficult situations.

These aren’t just nice-to-have traits. They are survival skills.

Because whether you’re stranded on Mars or facing a tough Monday morning, it’s not just what you know that keeps you going – it’s how you relate.