Lessons from Captain Cool!

Had the privilege of listening to Capt Chesley Sullenberger recently- and I was struck by his thoughts and his character! After a long time, I came across someone inspirational, who was genuine and human!

Interested in aircrafts due to an air-force base nearby, he started off as an US Air Force pilot, and then switched to commercial airlines. His passion for safety came through loud and clear. He has devoted a major part of his working life to improving safety in flights- he pioneered the introduction of team effectiveness workshops in his airline, by helping design and run these workshops, based on his realisation that teamwork and understanding will be critical in key moments. He understood the hierarchical power the Captains wielded, and how that could be a barrier to the effectiveness of the crew!

All his 42 years of experience has been in constantly learning to be the best pilot, and the best person that he could be - and the realisation that these go together! You cant  be the best pilot without being a good person, a true leader.

When he described that fateful flight, US Airways 1549, one realises the enormity of what the crew did. A normal, nondescript flight, and everything is fine for the first 100 seconds! Then he sees the Canadian geese just 3 seconds before the birds hit the plane- no time to swerve. He hears a noise from the engines, smell of burnt birds and loses power and thrust instantly. From that moment, in the next 208 seconds, he and the crew maneovre the never-done-before landing on water! All his training of 42 years comes to life here- his understanding with his First Officer, the split second, almost intuitive decision-making, yet following all set processes, and the precise communication to the crew and passengers. As he says, everyday he has been making small deposits on training, learning- and on that day he made a 'large withdrawal'!

'Brace' - that's the word airlines use! A deliberately crafted, precise word! That clearly connotes the actions others need to take. He added the word 'Impact' to this. 'Brace for Impact'! That sent a clear message to crew and passengers. As they land, and go to relief boats, he was the last to leave, worried that they may have inadvertently left someone in the plane. And he doesn't relax in hospital till he hears that all passengers are safe.

He has been on both sides of the table- as an investigator into safety incidents, and being the subject of an investigation! Life is a great leveller!

When I listened to him, what came to the fore was the importance of character:

• the need to constantly learn and strive to be the best, keep practising
• the realisation that you have to be a perfect human being if you want to be the best pilot ever
• the amount of time he spent thinking about safety and on training others, and introducing safety practices
• the realisation that open communication and team working was crucial, and his desire to master them

He also came across as someone with very strong 'family' values- the extension of his desire to be the 'best person'.

In summary, what I picked was that Character and Competence together always win. We need both. Without Character, competence is hollow! That was truly inspiring from 'Sully'!