What Do Flight Levels Have To Do With Leadership?

A reader of this blog has asked, "What, exactly is meant by the term 'Flight Level' and how does it apply to leadership principles?" There are many connections; this post explains three that come immediately to mind.

1. The most obvious parallel for leadership and the term "flight level" involves operating at the top.

Leadership involves being at the top, in charge of a group or a situation.  Leadership skills are typically associated with a work setting, but are also useful in a variety of life situations. Leaders can be found in communities, sports, politics and even in families. The same knowledge and principles that are valuable for workplace leaders can be applied in any situation by those who find themselves in a position of responsibility.

Flight level is an aviation term that is used to describe the highest flying altitudes. It refers to the airspace at and above 18,000 feet. Most small planes can't operate at the flight levels, since they lack the necessary horsepower and pressurization. Fast-moving airliners and corporate jets typically populate the flight levels.



Leadership and Flight Levels Have Much in Common
Photo by Luigi Diamante



2. Both leadership and the flight levels involve special skills.

Certainly, some people are natural-born leaders. Most, however ascend to leadership by learning and proving their skills through a series of experiences. Although there are degree programs in leadership, achieving success as a leader takes real-world practice. The key requirements for leadership include an ability to set aside one's own interests in favor of the greater good and the ability to remain calm in chaos. Great leaders also possess an uncanny ability to garner the trust of those they lead.

Newly-minted pilots can't operate at the flight levels for several reasons. Flying at or above 18,000 feet requires an instrument flight plan - using the aircraft's instruments instead of visual references. That skill is developed through advanced flight training with many hours of in-flight instruction. In addition, those who have just entered the world of aviation haven't yet acquired the flight time or knowledge to operate the complex types of aircraft that are needed to enter this special world.

3. There is no halfway in leadership or at the flight levels.

Leaders are charged with responsibility. They need to be decisive, confident and comfortable with the role. When a leader's skills are called upon, he or she must take action, guide the team or situation, and see the task through to completion.

The flight levels are referenced in whole numbers. For example, 21,000 feet is referred to as Flight Level 210. Aircraft are never assigned to cruise at flight levels representing less than exact thousands of feet. Planes do, of course pass through those altitudes on their way to the flight levels, just as leaders pass through assessments on their way to decisions.

In each post, I provide links to books for further reading on the blog topic. This topic's recommendations are Leading at a Higher Level, by noted leadership expert Ken Blanchard. For a fun glimpse into the day to day world of pilots who live at the flight levels, I invite you to enjoy my own book, The Flight Level Chronicles.

Soaring to great heights is a hallmark of leadership and the highest altitudes in the world of aviation are called the flight levels. Great leaders strive to operate at the flight levels every day.

Photo URL: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=879