What flying taught me about work

6 months and $60,000 later, I gave up on the training for private pilot certification. More on that here. However, each flight was a lesson in understanding the aircraft, dynamics of aviation and, most importantly, myself. What I took away with me are valuable lessons that have real-world implications on the ground.

Pre-flight : preparation is key

Prior to any departure, the pilot-in-command must know everything about the flight plan including weather conditions at the departing and arriving airports, as well as enroute, to emergency procedures pre, during and after takeoff.

If there was a loss of power in flight, we follow the general principles of aviate, navigate then communicate. We keep flying and establish glide speed, which will allow the aircraft to fly the longest horizontal distance while losing altitude at minimum rate, then we figure out where we are, where we need to go and, finally, communicate with air traffic controllers on what we want to do.

While it may not be always possible to have a foolproof plan, being aware and prepared reduces chaos and panic when things go wrong. Instead of knee-jerk reactions that could aggravate matters, the ability to maintain calm and business-as-usual composure will help put things into perspective and drive a common focus on troubleshooting and fixing the issue.

Enroute : trimming and optimizing

To trim an aircraft is to adjust the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces so that it can maintain a set altitude without constant input from the pilot. Imagine driving a car without hands on the wheel.

At work, we should also strive to "trim" regular and repetitive work processes to the point of automation and intervene only when necessary. This frees up valuable time and resources for longer-term planning of what's next.

Post-flight : feedback

Post-flight feedback is just as important as pre-flight checks. After we finish every flight, my instructor would always review my performance. The critiques were focused on where I did well but, more importantly, the areas I should improve on and how.

As people managers who are frequently time starved, it is important not to forget to provide timely and detailed feedback to team members on a regular basis. This helps to build trust, a conducive environment for improvement and a win-win relationship.