Leading When Flying Blind - Instrument Flight Rules for Leaders

Instrument flight rules, or IFR in aviation parlance, are procedures for flight solely by reference to the airplane's instruments. IFR is used when it's necessary to fly through clouds to reach one's destination. It is also the required mode of operation for flight at or above 18,000 feet - the section of the sky known as the flight levels.

Flying IFR does not mean that the pilot is prohibited from looking outside the airplane - in fact, it is quite possible to file an instrument flight plan and never transit a cloud. Some pilots follow instrument flight rules by choice, even when they know that the weather will be what aviators call "severe clear.” This kind of weather is, in fact, often encountered at the flight levels. Although operation at these altitudes requires that pilots follow the procedures used when there are no visual references, it's very common to be well above cloud layers at these altitudes.

Instrument flight is a specialized skill requiring additional training beyond the entry-level ticket to flying, called a private pilot license. Instrument flight rules are a set of very prescribed procedures. Many of the lessons learned in the instrument flying world can be applied to leadership situations.

Trust The Instruments When Flying IFR



1. Excellent Instruction is Important.  

This is true in all facets of aviation, but especially so in the complex world of instrument flying. A pilot must work with an individual holding a specialized instructor designation, called a CFII (certified flight instructor – instrument) in order to qualify for instrument flight.

Great leaders routinely tell stories of skilled individuals who have guided them along the way. Actively seek out mentors who demonstrate leadership styles that you respect and learn from their accomplishments as well as their failures.

2. Trust The Instruments. 

This is the mantra for instrument flight, drilled into the heads of pilots by their flight instructors. The human body likes to play tricks on the mind when visual cues are absent. (Try balancing on one foot with your eyes closed to experience the phenomenon.) Pilots who listen to their bodies instead of following the guidance of the airplane's instruments could quickly find themselves upside down - or worse, spiraling to the ground.

Leaders also have instruments to rely on when the forward path is not clear. These instruments include current-state statistics that clearly document the existing situation and forecasting techniques to predict what is likely to occur next. Identify metrics appropriate to your industry to be best equipped for unpredictable or new situations.

3. Passengers Don't See the Complexity.

Most of the time, those who are riding in but not flying an airplane are not fully aware of the complexity involved. Instrument flying in particular places multiple demands on the flight crew. Pilots must constantly monitor and interpret information provided by the aircraft’s instruments. Weather conditions must be closely watched and communication with air traffic control is ongoing. Passengers who are blissfully unaware of the cockpit activity have only two factors by which to judge the operation: the smoothness of the flight and the quality of the landing.

Many leadership situations are extremely demanding, calling upon multiple skills and involving aggressive deadlines. Often, those on the team are insulated from these challenges. Strong leaders have a knack for maintaining a sense of stability and guiding the team to a successful, rewarding outcome. Remember that team members may not need to know about every obstacle or mitigating factor; they may in fact be unnerved by too much detail. Team members trust in great leaders.

Instrument flying is an advanced aviation skill, but one that is necessary to unlock the true utility of an airplane. The ability to fly IFR is a requirement for operating at the flight levels, which are the ultimate altitudes in the aviation world. Leading people has much in common with the exclusive world of instrument flight. The feeling of personal satisfaction after completing a challenging instrument flight is shared by those who successfully shepherd their teams through complicated or difficult situations.

At the end of each of my blog posts, I provide links to books that serve as additional resources related to the blog topic. This posts' recommended reading is Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot Survival Manual and Margaret Wheatley's Finding Our Way-Leadership for Uncertain Times.  Machado's humorous style brings a fun and effective approach to the topic of instrument flight. Although written nearly 4 years ago, Wheatley's book has enduring lessons for all who find themselves leading a team through the business equivalent of IFR.