Today’s workforce is teeming with high-level talent possessing a wealth of wisdom and decades of experience. Do leaders have the confidence and maturity to hire them?    Young managers can learn a lot from the veteran players but only if they’re able to see past the age gap and manage the relationship maturely.   What are some of the insecurities leaders have around recruiting people with more experience, and how are they mitigated?   In this episode, Matt Johnson joins me to discuss why...

In many organizations, the gap between the generations is a point of conflict and friction but it doesn’t have to be.   Sure, millennials/Gen-Z see work differently to their older coworkers and superiors, but there’s a lot of value in the perspectives each generation have, and that can make for a more resilient organization.   How do we facilitate better communication and collaboration between the generations?   In this episode, executive and transition coach and change strategist, Julie...

Before the pandemic much of the industry ran on cruise control. Unfortunately, covid and the post-covid era exposed a lot of underlying weaknesses. From raw materials shortages to labor and production, everyone has a headache and there’s not enough aspirin to go around.   Before new solutions can be found the real challenge is stabilizing the processes we have now while also trying to make this an industry people will clamor to work in.   Although there is a flurry of activity within MRO,...

The skilled American worker has the resourcefulness to create better opportunities for themselves, so they’re not going to tolerate being treated poorly, even if they’re employed by a mega industry player.    What will it take for business owners to stand out to recruits at a time when the balance of power is rapidly shifting in favor of employees? What can we do to not only attract, but retain their interest, so they’re less likely to look elsewhere?   In this episode, we’re discussing how...

What separates the companies knocking it out of the ballpark and those running in place? Oftentimes it’s just simple communication.   Lack of achievement isn’t just a function of what people do, it’s what’s they don’t say…. But really need to!   The best leaders recognize the need for open communication and prioritize it, even when it’s uncomfortable.   Why is the distinction between a high-performance and high-achievement so important in our organizations? How do we become unconditionally...

During the pandemic, aviation was in a world of hurt and it took a long time to recover. Now that we’re out of that, everyone is making money…except Boeing and anyone tied to them.   If you’re a well-run company, executing at a high level, you’re benefiting from the industry bounce back. If you’re programmatically connected to Boeing - well, it’s complicated and will be for a while.   Is there any silver lining for Boeing, or can we expect trouble for the next decade? Are interest rates...

They are considered “too small”! That is, until there’s an issue with a critical component they supply. Then they become the backbone of the industry. Small suppliers play a big role in aerospace.   With the addition of some “scale,” TLC, and robust business systems, there is also ample opportunity for growth. And this is exact what Scott Ashton is doing with Aerox.   From “big company” to pursuing his entrepreneurial dream Scott is building something great and he’s never looking...

There are two ways to build company culture:   The first is intentional and proactive. The second is by winging it with the hopes that nothing goes wrong, which never happens.   Culture is more than a set of words that hang on the wall. It is a collection of behaviors that permeate so deeply that people do them automatically, even when no one is looking. Hiring those desired behaviors is the key to installing a culture of excellence.   Instead of forcing a set of values on people, think...

The commercial aircraft and engine market may be dislocated but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for discerning investors. In many ways, the lack of efficiency is the opportunity.   Where are the opportunities right now?   In this episode, co-founder of Inception Aviation Holdings, Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, and author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class, David Yu returns. He gives his take on aviation right now, including Boeing, the...

From pilot pay and recruiting to acquisitions and maintenance scope - OneSky Flight has seen a steady stream of BIG wins. These are huge feats accomplished against the backdrop of a tumultuous industry, and they speak to the leadership of the organization.   OneSky’s success has been done in stages; formulating the strategy to make the company a successful career destination, hiring accomplished “right-fit” aviators, and growing both the fleet and maintenance capacity to keep up with the...

Efficiency is mission critical in the high-touch, high-mix, low-volume world of mid-sized MROs. Doing the job right and doing it quickly is the name of the game.   Leaders have to drive velocity and streamline processes and they have to do so while operating in a technical talent-constrained environment.   That’s the job Elliott Aviation’s CEO, Dan Edwards walked into. His perspective: MRO is a fun business. What are some of the concerns he’s balancing as the leader of this organization? How...

Most organizations don’t put enough time into the culture and mindset that makes them a great place to work and they miss out on talent because of it.   It’s one thing to post a job and wait for applicants to start rolling in. It’s another thing to proactively make your company a destination - a place people would beat down doors to join.   Maybe it’s HR laziness or an inability to determine your company’s true value proposition, but ultimately, if you’re not thinking about what your company...

“I’ve got this job, want it or not?” is the absolute worst way to recruit an A+ player. Whether you’re a recruiter or a company looking for talent, the approach you take matters.   Ignoring their motivations or not caring about them at all means that you will risk losing those who can help you the most. Leave a negative impression at the start and you’ll guarantee the role will never get filled.   What are the other mistakes people make in the hiring process? How can conversations can be set...

We’ve all seen the flash-in-the-pan companies that take the market by storm but then burn out fast. It’s rare for a privately held company to stay relevant for 5 decades in one of the most volatile industries on earth. But that is exactly what Clay Lacy Aviation has done.   BizAv operators are constantly threading the needle between growth and stability. Rapid expansion at any cost can be deadly, but at the same time, growth can be so slow that they stop being relevant. Growth rate management...

Private aviation saw a huge COVID boom and many people who decided to fly private aren’t looking back.   This is a double-edged sword.  Private aviation is a complex industry where staying profitable is like walking a tightrope. There are high client expectations counterbalanced by complex machines and operational challenges. There are also plenty of business models which fail to pan out.   More demand is seemingly a good thing but it has also exposed areas of concern. What are some of the...

The vulnerability of the aerospace supply chain is something we’re all well aware of. But when focusing on specific commodities, a worrying picture emerges.   Considering that the industry gets its titanium from Russia, and that there hasn’t been much effort put towards de-risking the supply, we have a major issue. At the same time, with 18-24 month lead times, high strength steel is also clogging up the supply chain and causing major bottlenecks.   How does it dig itself out of these...

The dust up between American Airlines and JSX is an interesting airline industry development. The pilot’s unions say it’s all in the name of safety, but that couldn’t be further from reality.   What’s up with FAR Part 380?   Smaller airlines are trying to take the suck out of flying and continue service for small communities. Why are the majors so dead-set against these small players? Can we really buy the argument that they want to make the industry safer?   The answer is… complicated. There...

Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but a very small number actually turn that dream into reality.   The harsh truth is, most people won’t become CEOs or even grow their careers to a higher level, because they’re just not thinking the right way.   So, how does a leader think, and how are their habits different from those of the average Joe? Is there a way to change our mindsets so they’re better suited to a leadership role?   In this episode, executive recruiter and President of MR...

Economic fragility, long-running supply chain woes, long lead times, and labor. These are just a few forces exerting massive pressure on aviation.   In this highly chaotic market, operators and suppliers have been put through the whipsaw, and that shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. With the new aircraft market still heavily backed up, ripples are being felt across the entire industry - especially in leasing.   Anyone taking delivery of aircraft is making hay while the sun shines, and...

Every business wants to onboard top talent, but are we actively positioning our organizations as the type of place people want to work, or are we letting that crucial element slip through the cracks?   For most businesses, the latter is true. The reality is, we don’t do enough to entice talented would-be recruits, and in today’s world, where salary alone just isn’t enough to impress, not being clear on what sets us apart from our competitors will only put us on the back pedal.   So, how can...

Success is easy to find when it’s broken down into the basics.   What are the 10 key ingredients of a successful career? How do you avoid the common pitfalls?   In this special 200th episode of the podcast, we talk about the secrets to a million dollar career.   If you don’t understand what you need to do to be successful in a company or it’s ambiguous, stay away. -Craig Picken   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    - Mediocrity doesn’t open doors What are signs that you’re not...

Covid drove the demand for charter aviation off the charts. Undoubtedly, we saw a sugar rush, and even though it’s tapered off, the industry is still benefiting from that peak.   Private aviation is spoken more of a lot more as a solution, and the audience is more educated about it than ever before. Where does the industry go from here? What are some of the opportunities? Considering how its fate is often linked to the economy, will the good times stop rolling?   In this episode, Executive...

The growth and financial opportunity in space isn’t going away anytime soon - in fact, it’s just getting started. Many people might think it’s just a flash-in-the-pan buzzword, but that’s like saying the ocean’s going away and we should stop building ships.   There are still some hurdles, however. Which include the ability to prove out the business models.   How are private equity firms navigating the space opportunity? Why did our guest make the switch from engineering to private equity? In...