An airline captain shares how leaders can truly gain respect and influence

After four decades and 22,000 hours of flying experience, training, examining, and building teams, Captain Smith learned these are some of the keys that can help propel us to become the most respected and influential leaders of all.

In the flight deck, on our worst days, when without notice, the normal becomes an emergency, the most valuable resource is our team. We need them, their knowledge and skills, and all the input they can provide, willingly. This is the key to success and safe operations. Just how can we do this? It takes more than procedures, manuals, and policies. Humans are not machines. It takes a leader who’s gained respect and influence.