The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but the truth is, most of us aren’t doing what it takes to become leaders.   Leadership is about more than money, status, or power. Those may be perks of the job, but effective leadership is dependent on having uncomfortable conversations, making tough decisions, and taking radical ownership of everything that happens in our businesses.    How can we m...

Everybody wants to onboard superstars, but just how many business owners are doing what it takes to recruit and retain them?   The truth is, not nearly enough of us are. We all speak about wanting our businesses to grow to new heights, but when it comes to taking on the kind of talent that will help us get there, we fail to jump at the opportunity.    Why is it that so few of us are willing to tak...

Every business wants to onboard top talent, but are we actively positioning our organizations as the type of place people want to work, or are we letting that crucial element slip through the cracks?   For most businesses, the latter is true. The reality is, we don’t do enough to entice talented would-be recruits, and in today’s world, where salary alone just isn’t enough to impress, not being cle...

Everyone wants to have A-players in their teams, but when it comes to recruiting those rockstars, many of us don’t even know where to start.    Does recruitment look any different when we’re looking to onboard the best of the best? How do top-tier achievers want to be approached, and what could entice them to work with our organizations, over everyone else?   On the flipside, how can recruits pres...

We’ve all heard about the importance of investing in our businesses, but when it comes to investing in ourselves, more often than not, we miss the boat completely.    What is it about pouring into ourselves that feels so foreign, and what are we missing out on by failing to do it?   More importantly, what do we stand to gain by investing in ourselves?   In this episode, executive recruiter and Pre...

Our industry has dealt with unbelievable challenges over the last 20 months, but in spite of that, we seem to be holding up relatively well.   The real question is, as we near the 2-year mark of the global onset of COVID-19, what will the long-term effects of these challenges be? What does the future look like for the little players, and how can they position themselves for not only survival, but...

Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but a very small number actually turn that dream into reality.   The harsh truth is, most people won’t become CEOs or even grow their careers to a higher level, because they’re just not thinking the right way.    So, how does a leader think, and how are their habits different from those of the average Joe? Is there a way to change our mindsets so they’...

The recipe to a million dollar career isn’t easy, but it is simple, and most of the time, the right attitude is the key ingredient to success. That said, maintaining a positive attitude can be easier said than done, especially if we’re clashing with our superiors.    How can we get better at dealing with bosses we don’t agree with, or who just aren’t seeing our value? Should we be switching up our...

Everyone has the potential to have a million dollar career - whether you’re starting your own business or climbing the corporate ladder, the recipe is really simple.  The things that separate thousands of college athletes from the 200 that are drafted into the league are the same things that separate mediocre players from the cream of the crop in the professional arena.    There will always be bar...

There’s no two ways about it, the future of aviation is electric. In fact, by 2040, the majority of sub-1000 mile flights in the US will be electric.    The question is, what can we do now to best equip ourselves for that? Is there anything in particular holding us back from an electric reality in our more immediate future?    In this episode, CEO of magniX, Roei Ganzarski discusses the massive ch...

With even award-winning organizations coming up short in terms of employee happiness, is it possible that everything we think we know about leadership is way off base?   What makes the difference between a good working environment and a GREAT one? What can leaders do to create a better atmosphere, and how can employees play a role in effecting positive changes?    In this episode, CEO of Veritas L...

Pre-pandemic, the sky was blue and everything was rosy. Value was high, people were paying a ton for airframes, and aerospace was booming. Fast-forward to 2021, however, and the world as we knew it has changed.    The question is, how has that impacted the value of airplanes as a whole? How will the legacy of travel restrictions continue to impact our industry both now and in the future?   In this...

Without a strong organizational culture, our companies will never perform at their highest level. That being said, zoning in on culture isn’t always as straightforward as we may think.   What are the intricacies of culture that we need to know before diving in, head first? Is the onus of creating culture on the leaders of organizations, or the individual employees working within it?   In this epis...

The skilled American worker has the resourcefulness to create better opportunities for themselves, so they’re not going to tolerate being treated poorly, even if they’re employed by a mega industry player.    What will it take for business owners to stand out to recruits at a time when the balance of power is rapidly shifting in favor of employees? What can we do to not only attract, but retain th...

The light jet market has been evolutionary for a long time, but the time has come for us to move into revolutionary territory.    What does the future of light aircraft look like, and where do the opportunities for forward-thinking engineers lie? What are the challenges ahead for those wanting to make big moves in a small space?    In this episode, CEO of XTI Aircraft, Bob LaBelle shares how his s...

Today’s workforce is teeming with high-level talent possessing a wealth of wisdom and decades of experience. Do leaders have the confidence and maturity to hire them?    Young managers can learn a lot from the veteran players but only if they’re able to see past the age gap and manage the relationship maturely.   What are some of the insecurities leaders have around recruiting people with more exp...

In the last 18 months, aerospace and defense have undergone changes and dealt with challenges few of us could have anticipated. The question is, what now?   What can we expect to see in the industry in the near future? Are there new developments we need to be aware of?   In this episode, Founder and President of Alderman & Company and one of the most respected “Sell Side” investment bankers, Bill...

Business aviation is on the up and up, and opportunities abound. But what is the likelihood of success for new businesses?    How can aviation startups get a real shot at the big leagues? Do young businesses actually have an advantage over bigger, more established organizations?    In this episode, co-founder and CEO of Jet It, Glenn Gonzales shares why the sky is the limit for his burgeoning busi...

As individuals and companies start thinking about how they'll move forward in the coming months, it's time to re-evaluate how we present ourselves.   How can we position ourselves for the roles of our dreams? What can we do to stand out before we even get an interview?    In this episode, I'm diving into what business leaders care about in ANY market.   "If you really want more money and a better...

Transitioning from the military to the corporate world comes with its fair share of difficulties, and it's something veterans need to be prepared for. The question is, where do we start?    What are the unique challenges faced by former military personnel, and what can be done to overcome them? Is there anything civilians can learn from the transition path veterans need to take?    In this episode...

The optimism for the future of aviation also provides a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on our leadership abilities.    What marks the difference between top-performers and everyone else? How can we demonstrate our strengths as leaders today?    In this episode, show producer Matt Johnson and I discuss the characteristics every high-achieving aerospace executive must have.  "We keep heari...

The whole world is going mental at the moment, and that's because we're taking on too much at once. From getting the corner office at work, to homeschooling our kids during Covid, to getting the perfect body in the gym, we're trying to do it all, and in the process, we're not giving enough of ourselves to any of the tasks we take on. The only way to reach our goals, both professionally and persona...

The aviation business is currently coming off the biggest reset the industry has seen since World War II, and while that brings a host of challenges, it also comes with fantastic opportunities. The sky's the limit, and we're living in exciting times.    What should we expect to see in the near and further-off future in our business? Are we likely to see a bigger move towards eVTOL in the next few...

The aerospace and aviation ecosystem has reached maturity, and some of the most anticipated innovations and advancements are starting to bear fruit.   What we’re seeing is nothing short of an Industrial Revolution, and we can expect the next unicorn company to come out of aviation.   What’s driving the massive advancements and the evolution of start-ups is the decreased cost of launching satellite...

Space-based intelligence is the new frontier of effective and scalable energy infrastructure monitoring. The world’s oil and gas pipelines need persistent monitoring, and technology can be leveraged to avoid catastrophe.   This problem is tailor-made for the space sector. The industry can deal with large-scale environmental concerns and make our world a safer place. Orbital Sidekick is a startup u...