Like most people in our industry, we’ve travelled the world while managing the business of private aviation across multiple continents. We’ve met all kinds of people from every walk of life and when it comes to our own company, we’ve had to develop critical skills in making quick assessments about who we can trust and just as often, who we should probably avoid.
This has helped us a lot in hiring people who will add value to our company and to our customers’ experience. We’ve learned how to watch people and what specific things to ask them that will get us to the core of a “trust – don’t trust” understanding very quickly. And, as with all things, we’ve learned to listen carefully.
When hiring pilots to handle our aircraft, lead our crew and ensure a safe, enjoyable journey for our clients, we’ve learned to listen for 4 key qualities that help us determine who will be most successful and effective in the role of Captain. It goes without saying that they’ll need to be technically qualified for the mission, but for this discussion we’re looking at softer skills.
Here they are:
- Swagger. And what we mean by that is NO swagger. We’re not looking for ego or self-importance. We’re looking for someone who demonstrates professionalism in every aspect of their being – how they look, how they act, how they speak – it’s the trifecta of effective assessment and you need to be good at it. The way someone carries themselves will reflect on your business and your brand. Make sure your pilots are articulate, communicative and command respect.
- Forward looking, forward thinking. This suggests it’s about anticipation, but we find the skill of looking forward is mostly driven by attitude. Pilots with a negative attitude tend to be stuck in the moment (or worse, the past) on any given challenge. This can create unnecessary roadblocks to completing a mission. They deflect responsibility or delegate corrective action. On the other hand, pilots with a positive attitude are better at predicting potential issues and solving them before they happen. They lead by example and only delegate when necessary and appropriate. They approach the operation of the aircraft from a team perspective offering advice and decisiveness as necessary.
- Instincts. We’ve learned that the most effective pilots seem to instinctively understand that there is often more than one right answer to any given challenge – the trick is having the instinct to choose. The pilots we seek are the ones that demonstrate flexibility in their approach to absorbing information and quickly considering potential options before making their final decision. This requires someone who is open to the suggestions and needs of others and can quickly assess the best way forward for the customer, crew and company.
- Been there, done that. In almost every situation we can imagine, there is no better catalyst than experience to help guide a mission – the right pilot in the right airplane for the right purpose. However, we’ve also learned through our own practice that experience doesn’t always come with the first three qualities listed above. Our advice in this case is to use experience as the gateway to begin a deeper discussion. Then look at the whole picture before choosing who’s best for your company and your customers.