Lessons From the Cockpit
The first time I heard this, I came to a dead stop.
It's an astonishing fact that a staggering 90% of an airplane's journey is spent deviating from its intended flight path. Yes, you read that right—NINETY PERCENT of the time.
Whether it's due to air pressure, turbulence, or unpredictable weather conditions, the aircraft is only on the precise trajectory towards its goal for a mere 10% of the entire flight duration.
But here's the remarkable truth: An airplane successfully reaches its destination because of two crucial factors—unwavering clarity on the final objective and unwavering vigilance in monitoring progress.
With diligent oversight from both the sophisticated instruments onboard and the skilled experts guiding the way, any deviations are patiently and persistently corrected, ensuring the plane stays on course and ultimately arrives at its intended endpoint.
There is so much we can learn about leading our companies to their goals from this simple analogy.
Foremost is not just clarity on the final destination, but commitment to clarity of communication of the vision and goal to our teams.
We need to take time for an aerial view on our own communication patterns.
Are they effective? Efficient? Inspiring? Motivating? Team-building?
Does your communication style help or hinder your department or company's progress towards their goals?
As an executive, it is important to remember that every expectation you have for your team should be reviewed as if you are looking at it from the outside.
This means taking a step back and ensuring that everyone on the team knows where you are going and why it is important.
If this doesn't happen, the action plans you set won't lead you towards your goal.
When there is clarity around goals, strategy and action steps you require including hiring talent, investing and setting budget will naturally fall out in a way that the entire team can effectively move to achieve success.
Additionally, when events happen to push the team off course, the team will be able to quickly redirect and get back on track. Why? Because the destination is well known.
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Here are three elements of successfully using communication to keep your company moving forward:
1. Set Out a Clear Destination:
Start by setting clear goals and developing a strategy tailored to the strengths of your team and the available resources.
Every team member should know their specific role in achieving the goals.
2. Communicate the Goals:
Once the goals and strategy are in place, it is crucial to clearly communicate them to the entire team. Ensure that every team member understands the importance of the goals and how their role contributes to the larger picture.
Address any questions or concerns upfront to ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Align the Action Plans with the Goals:
Develop action plans that align with the set goals and communicate them clearly to the team. When everyone is on board and understands the strategy, they can work together more effectively to achieve success.
Regularly review progress, address any issues, and maintain open communication to ensure smoother project management and higher productivity.
By continually reviewing your communication and redirecting towards the final destination, you foster a motivated and aligned team that can confidently work towards achieving the company's objectives.
No one worries about the plane being off track 90% of the time because the end destination is clear and there is constant review and redirection. The same should happen in your department or company.
Keep your focus on your goal and you will get there.
I've worked with dozens of leaders so they are always communicating what they want to be communicating. Together we uplevel bold decision-making skills, emotional resilience and effective communication skills.
If you've read through this article and wonder if it would be possible to keep your company on track to its goals more often while feeling more confident and respected, it's probably time we have a chat.
I keep time in my calendar set aside for conversations like this. Message me and say, "Chris, can we have a chat about where my company needs to go this next quarter/year/decade." The plan we brainstorm will help you accelerate towards your vision and goal.
Best of travels to you!
~Chris.