For those who are unaware, I recently changed jobs and moved from a Chief Pilot Position at one Fortune 500 flight department to assume the Director position at another Fortune 500 flight department. Out of respect for both employers, I’m not going to mention either of their names but I can’t help making an observation that I feel is relevant.
Last Friday, we had a conference call concerning a possible jet purchase at my new company. Since the jet had been previously registered in a foreign country in the Far East, there was some concern that we might be subject to “intelligence gathering” if we bought it. Prior to the call, I informed my boss that the prospect of that happening was highly unlikely, but if we wanted to assuage concerns, we could have the jet swept for listening devices and the like during the pre-buy inspection. End of story – or so I thought. During the call, the “intelligence gathering” possibility was raised again. The consultants basically reiterated my take on the subject and the CEO agreed with the advisers and I, dismissed the security concerns, and told us to pursue that jet.
Why is this a big deal?
In my last company, it would have never happened. The CEO would have never spoken up like that. He would have never been willing to stand up to some of the members of his staff and been decisive. Instead, he would have required more analysis, more discussion and the decision would have been deferred to some time in the future – needlessly extending the timeline.
All I can say is that it’s good to see decisive leadership once again. I think I’m going to like it here.
