The Essence of Leadership: My Journey from Cabin Crew to Leader
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
I resonate deeply with those words especially when I reflect back on my journey from being a cabin crew to a leader.
I started off my career as a Cabin Crew and I loved my job with great passion! As a young cabin crew, I met over 100,000+ passengers, who we called guests during my journey. I welcomed them onboard the aircraft, from families to children traveling alone, to mostly leaders who travelled for work and meetings in different places. While I enjoyed every moment of flying, deep down inside, I often thought to myself, “I want to be like them one day.”
This simple thought ignited my passion for leadership and set me on a path of continuous growth and self-improvement.
My Journey into Leadership
Starting out as a cabin crew member, I observed the professionalism and confidence of those who took on leadership roles. Often as I spoke to them, I learned how much they learned to grow and be the person they were! This inspired me to envision a future where I could also lead and inspire others.
This aspiration was the beginning of my leadership journey. I realized early on that having a growth mindset was the most crucial part of being a leader. While having a Growth mindset, I needed to embrace challenges, learns from feedback, and persist despite setbacks. And so started the journey, making this transition from being a cabin crew to a leader, not just possible, but successful.
What is Leadership?
Leadership, to me, is more than just holding a position of authority. It’s about inspiring and guiding others toward a shared vision. And to be a great leader, one must embrace qualities such as vision, integrity, and empathy.
Leaders don’t just manager; they are visionaries who motivate and support their teams.
Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve learned that effective leadership is about creating a compelling vision and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. As a cabin crew, this became easy for me, as we needed to display integrity in all that we did while we were up in the air! I also dealt with passengers using the TLC (Tender, Loving Care) approach, making empathy something that came naturally in my journey becoming a leader.
But Everyone is different!
While this is my journey, I would never compel anyone to believe that this is the only way to becoming a leader. In the sense – “Not everyone needs to become a cabin crew to start their journeys.” In the sense, not everyone is the same. Everyone has different journeys and in retrospect, different leadership styles!
Throughout my career, I’ve encountered various leadership styles. For instance, I’ve seen transformational leaders who inspire change and transactional leaders who focus on results. I’ve learned that adapting leadership styles to fit different situations is crucial.
Each style has its place, and the ability to switch between them depending on the context has been an invaluable lesson for me.
Building a Leadership Mindset
A crucial aspect of my journey was developing a leadership mindset. It started with self-awareness—understanding my strengths and areas for improvement.
Continuous learning has always been a cornerstone of my growth, whether through formal training or everyday experiences. Emotional intelligence, which I’ve explored through workshops and personal experiences, plays a significant role in building strong leadership.
It’s about understanding and managing emotions, both my own and those of others, to foster a supportive and productive environment.
I always encourage everyone who ask me questions on Leadership to always have a continuous learning mindset. This is the key to being a great leader. Adapt the style of Unlearning, Learning and Relearning into your approach. This will help you succeed and develop a Leadership Mindset!
Leadership in Action
Effective leadership requires setting a clear and compelling vision. For me, this means clearly articulating goals and inspiring my team to work towards them.
Communication is key; I’ve learned that transparency and consistency build trust and understanding.
Decision-making involves weighing options carefully and making informed choices. Additionally, motivating and empowering team members is also very essential. Recognizing their achievements and providing opportunities for growth is a fundamental part of leadership approach.
Challenges in Leadership
Every leader face challenges. Managing change, resolving conflicts, and balancing responsibilities are common hurdles. From my experience, clear communication and active listening are vital for overcoming conflicts. Being a coach to them, is something that will help each one succeed especially since, we all need to Listen with the intent to understand, rather than listen with the intent of responding.
Time management and delegation help in balancing multiple responsibilities. These strategies have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of leadership.
Case Studies and Examples
Reflecting on leaders who have profoundly inspired me, Nelson Mandela, Satya Nadella, and Dr. Prathap C. Reddy stand out for their remarkable qualities and achievements.
Nelson Mandela’s resilience and vision are legendary. His ability to forgive and unite South Africa after 27 years of imprisonment demonstrates the power of perseverance and commitment to a larger cause, even in the face of immense adversity.
Satya Nadella’s leadership at Microsoft is a testament to the power of empathy and cultural transformation. By shifting Microsoft’s focus from competition to collaboration and innovation, Nadella revitalized the company and set a new standard for corporate leadership.
And finally, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, the founder of Apollo Hospitals, is another profound source of inspiration. His pioneering work in healthcare has revolutionized the industry in India, emphasizing the importance of accessible, high-quality medical care. Reddy’s vision and commitment to improving healthcare standards reflect the impact of visionary leadership in driving positive change.
These leaders have each contributed valuable lessons on resilience, empathy, and visionary thinking. Their stories continue to guide and motivate me on my own leadership journey.
Practical Tips
So here are a few tips for aspiring leaders, some actionable tips that I usually give people who ask me what makes a great leader!
I. Set SMART Goals: Define clear, actionable goals that guide your progress.
II. Foster a Positive Culture: Create an environment where trust and collaboration thrive.
III. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behaviors and values you expect from your team.
A personal mission statement has been a crucial part of my journey. It’s a guiding principle that doesn’t expire, helping me stay focused and motivated. As I continue to grow and evolve, this mission statement remains a constant reminder of my purpose and goals.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey from cabin crew to a corporate head in Learning and Organizational Development at an international healthcare organization, I see a path marked by continuous growth and transformation.
From my early days as cabin crew, where I envisioned a future of leadership, that took me from roles in training, operations, and eventually leading teams, each step required patience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to goals.
Starting with a growth mindset was crucial. It allowed me to embrace challenges, learn from experiences, and adapt as I pursued my ambitions. As I transitioned from one role to the next, I learned that success is not instantaneous but a result of consistent effort, resilience, and a clear vision.
There is no job without dignity, and embracing this truth with humility is essential. Every role, regardless of its nature, offers valuable experiences and opportunities for growth. Staying humble as a leader means respecting the journey and appreciating every step along the way.
If you’re on a similar path, remember that leadership and personal growth take time. Be patient with yourself, stay focused on your goals, and maintain humility. Hard work, commitment, continuous learning, and adaptability will guide you through your journey. Embrace every opportunity to grow and lead with grace, and your dedication will pave the way for achieving your aspirations
Author- Elton Ron Nathan
Financial Adviser at Mortgage Mantra Limited sourcing funding solutions for first home buyers and home owners in New Zealand.
1wNothing matches leading by example Elton. Life's journeys are interesting because of the unexpected challenges that come our way and the unknowns around the next bend. How we meet and oversome these challenges defines us and out of the experience are born leaders.Well done Elton.
Learning & Development Professional | Cultivating Growth and Excellence l Certified NLP Practitioner & Six Sigma Strategist I Certified Instructional Designer
1wWowww inspiring journey Elton Ron Nathan surely ll implement some of the tips🤗. Wishing you more success and happiness
Leadership Coach and Corporate Trainer, Design thinking, Behavioral skills, Selling skills, Author
1wA great inspiring life story of the leadership journey. The tips and examples shared by you are so relatable, and easy to understand. Thanks for sharing Elton Ron Nathan
Flight Attendant at SAUDI AIRLINES
1wUr journey is inspirational Elton sir
Senior Manager- L&D: Pioneering Transformative Learning, Building HR Excellence | L&D Evangelist | Black Belt |Instructional Designer | Performance Coach | Career Coach | Strategist | Guitarist | Master of Ceremonies
1wAmazing article, boss! Your journey from cabin crew to a corporate leader is truly inspiring. I love how you emphasized the importance of a growth mindset, continuous learning, and leading with empathy. The practical tips, especially about setting SMART goals and fostering a positive culture, are pure gold. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights and reflections on leadership Elton Ron Nathan, Coach-To-Transformation thanks for sharing.