Putting a Man on the Moon: What NASA’s Cleaner Can Teach Us About Motivation (and the Practice of Laddering)
- simon5396
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
When President Kennedy visited NASA in the 1960s, he stopped to speak to a cleaner.
“What do you do here?” JFK asked.
The cleaner replied: “I’m putting a man on the moon.”
That story has lasted because it captures something perhaps even more relevant today than it was then. Work isn't just about having a job. It’s about knowing how what you do connects to a bigger purpose.
That’s where one of the most practical leadership practices comes in: laddering.
The power of laddering
Laddering is the practice of showing people how their role contributes to the bigger picture - how what they do benefits others, and ultimately shapes the success of the whole organisation.
I’ve seen this first-hand in very different settings:
In healthcare, where a receptionist sees their role not just as “booking appointments” but as “helping patients feel cared for before they ever see a doctor.”
In small businesses, where someone in the Customer Service team realises they’re not just “processing orders” but “making sure customers get what they need quickly so they keep trusting the brand.”
A warehouse team realising they’re not just packing boxes, but making sure essential supplies reach the people who need them.
When people mentally climb the ladder, the task in front of them isn’t just “updating a spreadsheet,” “answering a call,” or “sweeping the floor.”
It becomes something far bigger: delivering great service, helping colleagues succeed, or making progress on a shared mission.
Why it matters for motivation
This is where the change happens. When people can see the difference they make, motivation increases.
One of the most common questions I’m asked in my leadership development work is: “How do I motivate my team?”
There’s no single answer. Motivation is shaped by many things - from fair rewards, to supportive relationships, to opportunities for growth. But one of the most powerful (and often under-used) levers is helping people see how their role connects to the bigger picture.
I’ve seen that when people can see how what they do really matters, the whole mood changes for the better. People go the extra mile not because they're told to, but because they want to.
Leaders who use laddering well don’t just manage tasks. They unlock commitment, inspire effort and create a culture where people feel they matter.
A few questions for you
Does everyone in your team know how their work benefits others?
Can they see the bigger picture?
Do they feel part of the mission?
These questions are where laddering begins. It doesn’t need a grand strategy - just a change in the message they hear: explaining why a task matters, connecting actions to outcomes, or taking time to remind people of the bigger story they’re part of.
Final thought
That NASA cleaner wasn’t just doing a job. He was part of something extraordinary.
The truth is, we all want to feel that way. Whether we’re sweeping corridors, writing code, or leading a project - everyone is more motivated when they know their work matters.
👉 If you’d like help making laddering part of the way your team works - and unlocking the motivation that comes with it - drop me a message and let's talk about how I can help.
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