The entire world was enthralled by the successful rescue of the thirty-three Chilean miners this week. The way in which the rescue was broadcast worldwide so we could all watch the drama unfold moment-by-moment was an unprecedented event that enabled us to share the tension, as well as the elation of the successful effort.

It was also a unique case study of how an organization can achieve success by perfectly executing a series of actions which are too often hollow business ideals. Here’s the quick list which came to mind as I tried to digest the significance of this extraordinary feat:

• Commitment: The mining company made a commitment to do all that it could to save the miners.
• Determination: The miners were determined to survive.
• Alignment: Both agreed to work together to make it happen.
• Collaboration: The company leveraged a combination of internal and external resources from around the world to develop and executive its rescue plans.
• Cooperation: All of the parties found a way to work effectively together  to achieve their common objectives.
• Communication: All the parties not only communicated with one another but with the families, press, etc. to alleviate any issues or concerns.
• Innovation: All of the elements above produced a unique solution which performed better than expected.
• Satisfaction/Loyalty: Ironically, there have been reports that the mining company had been cited for safety violations prior to this incident, but its performance during the crisis and the success of its rescue efforts not only erased any negative history, but earned it unparalleled admiration and respect among its employees and the world.
• Humility: Everyone involved emphasized the contribution of others rather than boast about the significance of their own role in the joint effort.

Of course, none of this could have occurred or been witnessed without today’s extraordinary set of enabling technologies.

The Bottomline: The perfect case study for business success.