The film, The Martian, has been sitting at the top of the box office since its American premiere at the beginning of October. It is the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut (played by Matt Damon) whose crew, believing he is dead, leaves him stranded on the hostile planet of Mars. Having very little supplies, Mark Watney has to use his wits and a lot of creativity to survive in the unforgiving terrain of “The Red Planet.”  Here are 5 Speakers* who would have made Mark Watney’s stay on Mars a little easier through their expertise in innovation and peak performance (not to mention that they are all superb conversationalists – I would imagine being isolated on a planet with no form of life would be a very lonely experience).

Alexander Blass | Entrepreneur and Award-winning Innovator

Alexander Blass’s focus is on creativity and thinking outside the box – sometimes way outside it! With meagre supplies Matt Damon’s character in The Martian needs to use every ounce of creativity he has to survive and Alexander Blass’s proven methods would certainly motivate and encourage the “outside the box” thinking he needs. Also, Blass has a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering – which couldn’t hurt, right?

Jim Carroll | Futurist, Speaker and Author on Trends      

Jim Carroll is a sought after speaker for his invaluable insights into the future. Carroll takes a 360 degree approach to his observations, taking into account all relevant aspects on a particular matter – using this tactic to address any and all potential risk and reward. His thorough style of observation would be exceptionally helpful to Matt Damon’s character on Mars – with Carroll’s analyses, potential dangers could be foreseen and the rate of successful initiatives would increase.

Frans Johansson | Speaker on Diversity and Intuitive Innovation

Although strategy and planning are important elements to success, we cannot strategize and plan around what is unforeseeable – for instance: the variability and volatility of an unstable environment (whether that’s Mars or our current economic climate). Frans Johansson speaks to these unknowns and that “The Click Moment”: the seizing of opportunities that could not have been predicted. Frans Johansson teaches people how to see opportunities that others cannot and how to capitalize on them quickly and decisively.

Josh Linkner | Bestselling Author on Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership

Every innovative initiative starts with an idea – but turning raw, unpolished, ideas into a reality can be very challenging. Josh Linkner provides practical tools and methodologies to turn big ideas into big results. Oh, and he’s an excellent jazz guitarist too so he could also provide the entertainment (why wouldn’t there be a jazz guitar on Mars?)

Dr. Hendrie Weisinger | Expert on Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

In The Martian, Matt Damon’s character keeps a series of video logs to not only try to connect to his crew on earth, but also to keep up morale and hope. As an expert on EI, Dr. Hendrie Weisinger teaches resiliency, focus, and how to become a peak performer under pressure. Dr. Weisinger’s expertise would help Matt Damon’s character keep a cool head, focus on his mission to get home, and bounce back quickly from his setbacks (no spoilers – but there are many setbacks in this film!)

*Speakers are listed in alphabetical order