Why Are You Out Here?
The question caught me completely by surprise. I had been assigned as the new maintenance officer responsible for over 100 mechanics and 27 aircraft. Since I had come from an aircraft maintenance background myself, I was excited about this opportunity. I was walking around the flightline one day and stopped to watch a couple of crew chiefs changing a brake. We exchanged pleasantries but didn’t say much else. Finally they…
It’s OK to be an Ignorant Leader
Did he really just say that? I was sitting in my new boss’s office. I had just been moved to a new position which I was not very excited about and was in the office for the traditional “meet the boss” session. I had been snatched from a job I really loved to take this position and was not very happy. My boss described several urgent challenges that my new…
Water, Aliens, and Accountability
I’ve found the answers to everything. That’s right. In two words I can explain everything that ever has or ever will happen. First, human health. You have probably heard of the concern with the chemical compound dihydrogen oxide. Extensive research indicates that every person who has ever died or even been slightly ill has ingested some of this compound. Therefore, this substance, more commonly known as water, must be the…
How to Find Real Value in Leadership Books
A common year-end tradition is lists of books experts recommend for the coming year. The lists I see invariably include a number of tomes on ways to be a successful business leader. There are plenty of those lists out there so I won’t bore you with yet another one. Instead, here are some thoughts on how you should read those books that purport to make you a better leader and…