The Silent Hero

Characteristics of Success

Recently I attended the premiere of "Antarctica, The Giant Awaken."  As the credits rolled, showcasing names like award-winning filmmakers, climate seal-level change experts, female scientists, and technicians, one particular name caught my attention: Sandra Lim, Drone Operator.  This “unobvious” role intrigued me, leading me to delve into the story behind this silent hero responsible for capturing some of the documentary's most breathtaking scenes.

I’ve known Sandra as @theveggiemaiden on Instagram, a plant-based advocate blending health, climate, and women empowerment.   But a Drone Operator?  I wanted to find out more.

Award-winning filmmaker Liz Courtney described filming in Antarctica as the most challenging of her career.  The weather can change in an instant and there are numerous restrictions to protect the pristine landscape - no items can touch the ground and there are no opportunities for second takes. 

So can an amateur drone operator like Sandra tackle these challenges as the sole drone operator in this documentary?

The first step was accepting the challenge.   How does an amateur summon the courage to take up a professional role?  The answer lies in the courage to say yes.

Next, Sandra invested in herself with additional drone flying lessons.  Committing to improving her skills was part of your ongoing learning journey and helped build her confidence. 

No amount of drone flying practice in Singapore could prepare Sandra for the challenges Antarctica presented.  She knew she had to project a commanding confident presence to reassure the crew they could rely on her as the sole drone operator. 

A Forbes article highlighted that "people with imposter syndrome are usually the brightest in the workplace."   Merely "faking it 'til you make it" isn't enough; courage to accept the challenge to preparation and confident execution are success factors in any career.

Sandra's story extends beyond overcoming the drone challenge; she displayed grit in overcoming numerous obstacles, found her purpose, and remained anchored to her values. 

While Sandra’s stories are for her to tell, several aspects resonated with me. 

First, Sandra had to overcome a rare health challenge that even her family and friends doubted.  This struck a chord with me.  I didn’t believe that my son was suffering from mental wellness.  I was angry with him. I told him to "suck it up" and did not give him the support he needed.  Balancing trust, and empathy, and pushing our children to reach their potential is a delicate balance.

Second, Sandra faced discouragement from her traditional parents when pursuing her passion, steering her towards a more conventional educational path. While she excelled as a food scientist, it took a decade before she led her path toward her purpose.  As a parent myself, I empathize with the struggle of wanting to guide our children toward stability while also encouraging them to pursue their passions.

Sandra embodies living wholeheartedly towards her purpose. 

In our careers, things don't always go as planned.  Embracing " Be Like Water: philosophy prepares us to flow with the currents rather than being overwhelmed by them.

If an opportunity presents itself, do you have the courage to say yes?  Trust that the opportunity was offered because someone sees your capabilities, even if you don't see them yourself.

Seize the opportunity!