A Public Address by Laurence Golborne

In this public address, Chilean Minister of Public Works Laurence Golborne conveyed an inspiring message on the challenges of leadership in response to disaster. Professor Herman “Dutch” Leonard moderated and Harvard University President Drew Faust provided a warm welcome for the Minister. Sharing the story of his efforts to rescue the Chilean miners trapped underground for sixty-nine days after the 2010 earthquake, Mr. Golborne emphasized the personal and practical challenges of his role, speaking of the importance of persistence and optimism in the face of failure. He also discussed the need for coordination and innovation in confronting complex problems, especially those with limited available information.