Behind the Aircraft: How Leaders Stay Ahead in Turbulent Times
The Power of Partnership
A recent conversation with my coach sparked a reflection. For the past two years, she's been my trusted co-pilot, navigating alongside me through organizational changes and one of life's most significant transitions - from my corporate leadership role at Shutterfly to founding an AI company and helping other business with their AI strategy.
Learning from the Cockpit
I experienced firsthand what it means to "get behind the aircraft" this summer when I flew in a small two-seater plane up the California coast. As a novice in the cockpit, I quickly understood how easy it is to become overwhelmed by the multitude of instruments, alerts, procedures, and environmental factors demanding attention. In aviation, "getting behind the aircraft" occurs when events and situations control the pilot's actions, rather than the pilot maintaining control. It's that critical moment when the tasks required to fly the plane exceed the pilot's capacity to manage them, causing the aircraft to "get ahead" of the pilot. Sadly this usually never ends well.. in corporate life or an actual plane.
When Events Control You
This experience perfectly mirrors the challenges of leadership. During times of stress and pressure as a tech executive, my coach helped me maintain perspective and stay grounded. As I contemplated the leap into entrepreneurship, her guidance was instrumental in transforming uncertainty into clarity. Our recent reflection on this journey revealed a universal truth about leadership that I feel compelled to share.
Picture yourself in the cockpit, multiple alarms blaring simultaneously. As leaders, we frequently find ourselves in similar situations - urgent decisions demanding attention, competing priorities creating noise, and the constant pressure to maintain course. This is where a co-pilot becomes invaluable. Like in aviation, where a co-pilot helps maintain control during turbulent conditions, a good coach helps you distinguish between critical signals and distracting noise.
The Role of a Co-Pilot
But having a co-pilot transcends mere companionship. They serve as your second set of eyes when visibility is low, your steady voice when turbulence hits, and your guide when you're "falling behind the airplane" - that critical moment when events start outpacing your ability to respond strategically. My coach repeatedly demonstrated this, providing clarity precisely when the horizon seemed to disappear.
Navigating Through Turbulence
This journey has taught me a dual responsibility: not only must we seek out our own co-pilots, but we must also become effective co-pilots for our team members. We must recognize when they're getting overwhelmed, to step in when the noise becomes deafening, and to help them regain their bearings with renewed focus and resilience.
As leaders, we must understand the crucial distinction between:
- Empowerment and Abandonment,
- Fostering Autonomy and Creating Distance.
True empowerment means being present and supportive while allowing team members to take the controls. It's about finding that sweet spot where we're close enough to guide but far enough to let them fly. Like a skilled co-pilot, we need to know when to step in and when to step back, ensuring our team members feel supported rather than suffocated, guided rather than controlled.
Leadership can feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. When we maintain our composure and strategic focus amidst chaos, we enable others to do the same. To every leader navigating through turbulent times: finding your co-pilot - whether a coach, mentor, or trusted peer - might be the most important decision you make.
The Dual Responsibility: Receiving and Giving Guidance
The aviation principle of "getting behind the airplane" perfectly captures what happens when leaders lose their proactive stance and begin merely reacting to events. Recovery requires regaining situational awareness, adjusting your pace, leveraging your team's support, and committing to continuous learning. Just as pilots rely on instruments and co-pilots to maintain control, leaders need trusted partners and systems to stay ahead of challenges.
Maintaining Elevation: A Call to Action
As you reflect on your own leadership journey, consider: Where might you be "getting behind the airplane"? Are there areas where events are controlling your actions rather than the other way around? Finding a trusted co-pilot can help you regain that control and maintain your desired elevation.
But equally important is your role as a co-pilot to others. Each member of your team faces their own challenges that could lead to losing altitude or control. By stepping into the co-pilot role - offering guidance, maintaining calm during turbulence, and helping them stay ahead of their circumstances - you can help prevent potential crashes and enable your team to soar to new heights.
Remember: even the most skilled pilots don't fly solo on complex missions. Why should leaders? Whether you're seeking a co-pilot or becoming one for others, the goal remains the same: maintaining control, staying on course, and ensuring everyone reaches their destination.
