A Transition From Corporate Flight Attendant to Manager

Many experienced Flight Attendants moving into a management position can feel like they are stepping from a role where they felt confident and accomplished, into a post where they feel unsure of themselves and have performance anxiety. This is absolutely normal when promoting themselves from an individual, contributor role into a leadership position.

Unlike people who have working experience in an office, a promotion from flight attendant to management is not only a change in title but also, in lifestyle. You are going to undergo some fundamental changes including learning how to operate a copy machine as well as planning a departmental budget. Shifting professional identity from a practitioner to management also means developing a new skill set for business communication, setup standard and conflict management to name a few.

Assuming knowledge can be picked?up?by a process?of?osmosis might cause uncertainty and pressure to a newly promoted manager because someone who was supervised before may not necessarily know how to supervise another.

What exactly you can do to ensure a smooth transition? Let’s start by looking at four key areas:

1. Advance your Job Knowledge

Your role is now shifting from operating a flight to performance management therefore, you are expected to contribute your knowledge broadly. Be it to implement new procedures to enhance guest experience or to develop a new wine list for your charter fleet, a solid F&B and service knowledge will help you to put mechanisms in place but most importantly, this decision would be justified better by using professional knowledge rather than personal preferences.

There are many reputable gastronomy, wine or service academies around the world for you to polish your knowledge and be inspired by new hospitality trends.

Attending airshows (ABACE – Apr in Shanghai, EBACE – May in Geneva, NBAA - in Vegas/Orlando) will help you to establish contacts with suppliers and vendors for new in-flight products and service ideas.

2. What is your Management Style?

Management style?is a way in which a manager works to fulfil their goals. The style includes the way you plan, organise, make decisions, delegate and manage your staff.

Management styles can vary depending on the corporate culture, the skill level of your employees as well as your own personality. A manager can be authoritative, paternalistic, or consultative for example and there are pros and cons for each management style. An effective manager is someone who can adjust their management style in response to different factors while keeping their focus on successfully achieving targets.

3. Navigate the new “jungle”

To many, the transition is not only an upgrade of title but entering into a new arena. Your working environment is now changing from a galley that you are very comfortable with, to an office and from using an oven, to operating a copy machine. With an even more digital age, you will need to refresh your computer literacy, get familiar with how to set up a virtual meeting via outlook, and know your corporate font and colour for PPT presentations. It might be a little overwhelming to start with but relax, you have flown a full load G650 solo and offered a 3-course meal uneventfully, you will manage. Most importantly, you need to be aware of what’s ahead of you and invest time to prepare yourself. It will make you feel confident in your new role.

Another way to explore the new jungle is to have a “navigator” with you.?Don’t hesitate in asking for advice from other managers. Looking for possible mentors within the experienced management team will give you insight into corporate culture. You will also need to reach out through cross-departmental communication in order to facilitate any new policies you want to roll out.

4. Establish your Personal Brand

Developing a Personal Brand is part of?non-verbal communication. The right?personal brand will help you highlight your strengths, establish a reputation, build trust and communicate the unique attributes that you bring to your new role. Cultivated well, your personal brand will signal to people around you before you speak.

Besides style and image, please be reminded that your tone and pace of voice are equally important when it comes to business etiquette.

Growing your online presence is also a way to establish your personal branding and separating your personal life from the professional on social performs is always a safe way to go. LinkedIn, for example, serves as a professional social media tool and is the ultimate site for defining your brand, unlike Facebook or Instagram. Through LinkedIn, you can make introductions with people in your industry, and ask for (and give) recommendations about business but keep it professional and avoid personal comments or content.?

The above are just some examples. Great leaders seek to optimise their overall value. Embrace your new role and develop the required skillset that will underpin your success.

Learn more about our upcoming advanced leadership training programme by sending us an email here: [email protected]