Leadership in Focus in NBAA’s Small Operator Learning Series

Aug. 16, 2024

Leadership challenges faced by small flight departments are in focus in the most recent course in NBAA’s Small Operator Learning Series.

Leadership Series Part 2: Addressing Leadership in a Small Flight Department; Striving for Excellence called upon business aviation industry experts Jenny Showalter, founder and chief motivational officer at Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching, and Jim Lara, founder of Gray Stone Advisors, to explore the nuanced challenges of leadership specific to small flight departments. The panelists, moderated by Dylan Miller, Challenger 604 captain and co-chair of NBAA’s Small Flight Department Subcommittee, shared practical strategies and empowering leadership practices aimed at achieving excellence in operational efficiency and team cohesion.

Often, small flight department leaders just happen into the role, whether by convenience or seniority, panelists said. “Instead of looking at seniority, as an industry we need to start teaching leadership skills and developing people into leadership positions,” said Showalter. 

Showalter also shared how expectations of a leader are changing.

“People today want an empathetic leader,” she said. “They look for leaders who understand their whole self, not just their working self. Especially in business aviation with such demanding roles, both in terms of time and expertise, it’s important that leaders understand what’s going on with their team in the rest of their lives.”

This session follows Part 1: Becoming a Great Leader, which shared principles of effective leadership: vision, integrity and adaptability. In that session, panelists shared strategies to cultivate a culture of safety within teams of any size and explored the nuances of leadership dynamics in diverse work environments. 

Those who complete all sessions of the Small Operator Learning Series are eligible for Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credits toward application or recertification.

The “Navigating Leadership in a Small Flight Department” series will culminate in a live, interactive session taking place prior to the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), providing attendees of the Oct. 21 Small Operator Symposium with a unique opportunity to connect with industry experts in-person. Learn more about the symposium.

NBAA has other resources tailored to small flight departments, including best practices for maintenance in a small flight department and the Small Flight Department Safety Guide.