How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Everyone wants to land that big promotion, but when it comes down to snagging the role, many of us find ourselves stuck.
So, how can we get unstuck?
What would it take for us to impress the leadership in our organizations so much so that we’re the natural choice, when it comes to promotions?
In this episode, Robert Houghton and I unpack the 3 ways to get unstuck, so you can finally land that million dollar career.
"Tearing ideas down for the sake of it is worthless. Always come armed with a solution." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to be a solutions-based devil’s advocate
Where do we draw a line between pointing out potential flaws and just being a pain in the neck? - Why we need to communicate both down and up the line
It’s one thing to communicate with those we’re tasked with managing, but how can we get better at speaking with those in leadership positions? - The importance of tracking our personal achievements
If we’re not advocating for ourselves, who is going to advocate for you?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Guest Bio-
Robert Houghton is an executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. As a well-established former CEO of several successful business enterprises, Robert has a unique understanding of executive recruiting in the commercial insurance sector with specialties in employee benefits, property & casualty insurance and risk management. Robert is the host of the Talent + Trust podcast.
To find out more, go to
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talent-trust/id1489738286
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Everyone wants to have a million dollar career, but when it comes down to thinking of how we’ll get there, things tend to get foggy.
The only way to reach our goals is by getting practical and tactical. We can’t expect to see big results if we’re not actively planning how to attain them.
How do we start planning accordingly? Is there a foolproof formula that takes our goals from dream to reality?
In this episode, Robert Houghton and I explain why the key lies in working backwards.
"Unless you have the end in mind, you don’t know how to get there, or have the motivation to get there." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why planning for success is simpler than we think
Does plotting out our next moves require extensive mathematical calculations, or are we overcomplicating things? - The importance of having an executive coach
Doing it on our own is certainly cheaper in the short term…but will it get us results? - Why we need to be intentional with our inner circles
Can we really expect to build something incredible if we’re constantly surrounded by under-achievers?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Guest Bio-
Robert Houghton is an executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. As a well-established former CEO of several successful business enterprises, Robert has a unique understanding of executive recruiting in the commercial insurance sector with specialties in employee benefits, property & casualty insurance and risk management.
Rob is the host of the Talent + Trust podcast.
To find out more, go to
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talent-trust/id1489738286
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
In order to build a successful, scalable business that sets us free, we have to first build a really great team.
Our teams and the way they operate dictate the success of our organizations, and most of us know that. However, when it comes to building those teams, most of us just don’t know what we don’t know.
So, how can we build the kinds of teams that allow us to create the businesses of our dreams?
In this episode, author, speaker and serial entrepreneur, Carl Gould reveals the 7 stages of growing a great business, and the 2 stages guaranteed to help you assemble an unstoppable team.
"The people who got here are not necessarily the people who’ll get you there, and that’s okay." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- One thing we tend to forget when building teams
Could promoting our best players actually do more harm than good to our organizations? - The key to attracting top talent
Are we missing out on a crucial factor when trying to recruit the best players in the game? - Why turnover isn’t always a bad thing
No one likes the thought of losing employees, but could high turnover actually be the best thing for our businesses?
Guest Bio-
Carl Gould is a best-selling author, sought after speaker and the serial entrepreneur behind three multi-million-dollar businesses The founder of 7 Stages Advisors, over the past two decades, Carl has worked with more than 7000 Business Coaches and mentored the launch of over 5000 businesses. Thanks to his expertise, Carl has been featured by a number of top-tier publications including, among others, Wall Street Journal and Forbes. Carl’s forthcoming book, The Obnoxious Offer will hit shelves in Fall 2022.
To find out more, go to:
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
"The minute you go into a performance review, understand where you added value to the business." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The importance of knowing our numbers
If YOU don’t know your numbers how do you know how well you performed?
- The one thing we should be documenting more often
It’s one thing to say we provide value to the company and colleagues, it’s another thing to prove it!
- Why extreme ownership will always serve us
Nobody is perfect! How can we get better at taking responsibility for our shortcomings?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
If we think back to the group activities we did in school, there were always a few top achievers who took the lead, while the rest put in the bare minimum. The former were the group’s ‘A-players’, and they’re not limited to school environments: in fact, we often see the same dynamic play out in our organizations today.
So, what is it that makes some people more likely than others to put in the hard yards? Are some simply more driven to succeed?
More importantly, how can leaders identify those A-players for their companies, and how can those A-players make themselves known in the first place?
In this episode, Robert Houghton and I dive deep on the concept of A-players and how to recruit them.
"If you’re an A-player, you have a better chance than ever before to reach leadership positions." -Robert Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to pinpoint A-players in an interview
Some questions are more effective than others at unearthing who really has the drive to go the extra mile. What are they?
- What A-players need to demonstrate to potential employers
Sure, A-players are willing to put in the work, but how can that be articulated to recruiters?
- The 1 thing likely to keep most A-players truly content
Is working for someone else ever going to be ‘enough’ for those with a huge amount of drive?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
If there’s one thing that could characterize our present moment, it’s a general sense of unhappiness. People just aren’t content in their jobs anymore, and as a result, they’re quitting en masse. Thus, The Great Resignation.
What’s behind this general discontent and what can we do about it?
Is there a simple solution or do we need to dig deeper to reach the roots of the issue?
In this episode, MR Fairfax’s Robert Houghton and I are diving deep into The Great Resignation and what it means for your business.
It’s less expensive and more beneficial to pay a great employee a little more than you want than it is to have them quit and need to replace them. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The true extent of The Great Resignation
How many people are really leaving their jobs, or dropping out of the workforce altogether, and why are they doing it? - 1 thing employees want more
Are we doing enough to ensure our employees are actually happy in our organizations? - How to retain top talent against the backdrop of The Great Resignation
What will it take to retain the top players on our teams?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Guest Bio-
Robert Houghton is an executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. As a well-established former CEO of several successful business enterprises, Robert has a unique understanding of executive recruiting in the commercial insurance sector with specialties in employee benefits, property & casualty insurance and risk management.
Rob is the host of the Talent + Trust podcast.
To find out more, go to
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talent-trust/id1489738286
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
There’s a general trend taking place at the moment, across industries, where everyone seems to be more concerned with what everyone else is doing, but that’s not going to get us anywhere. Only focus can do that.
What’s stopping more people from staying dialed in to their own jobs, and what can we do as leaders to make that easier for them?
Is there a way to pinpoint recruits more likely to knuckle down on what they’ve been hired to do?
In this episode, Robert Houghton and I discuss how to instill a culture of focus in our organizations.
Focus on whatever it is you've been hired to do and don't worry about anything else. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The importance of setting expectations
How can we expect our team members to do anything without communicating what we need from them?
- How to hold employees accountable to their unique commitments
Are we doing enough to encourage our employees to stay focused on their assigned tasks?
- 1 thing stopping people from staying focused
Focus isn’t a particularly difficult concept on paper, so what’s stopping the vast majority from knuckling down in their areas of expertise?
Guest Bio-
Robert Houghton is an executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. As a well-established former CEO of several successful business enterprises, Robert has a unique understanding of executive recruiting in the commercial insurance sector with specialties in employee benefits, property & casualty insurance and risk management.
To find out more, go to
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
COVID-19 was destructive to the aviation industry.
However, nearly 2 years after the global onset of the virus, much of the world is reopening. So, where does our industry stand today?
Are we finally on the road to recovery, or is there still a long way to go? Will we ever fully bounce back from the effects the pandemic has had on our business?
In this episode, co-founder of Inception Aviation Holdings, David Yu returns to the show to share his outlook on the state of aviation in 2022.
At the end of the day, I don't think things will get worse for airlines. -David Yu
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What the reopening of travel means for our industry
How much of an impact will the resumption of leisure travel make on our industry?
- When to expect a real recovery
How long will it take for us to see the industry surpass where it was in 2019, and move on to bigger things?
- 1 thing to know before investing in an airplane
Is it a wise choice to invest in aircraft before the industry has completely bounced back?
Guest Bio-
David Yu is the Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and co-founder of aviation investing and financing firm, Inception Aviation Holdings. He is also the Executive Director of IBA Group in Asia, a leading global aircraft appraisal and consultancy. A recognized expert in cross-border finance and investing, David is an Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, where he teaches the ‘Investing and Financing In and With China’ class. David is the author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class and a Forbes contributor.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Valuation-Airplane-Investments-Asset/dp/9811567425
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidyu/?sh=51431f782d7d
Or contact David at david.yu@nyu.edu
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Mar 03, 2022
Thursday Mar 03, 2022
Making the transition from a military career to civilian is no easy task, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
With the right tools and support finding the career of your dreams is within reach..
The question is, what do the right tools and support look like? Moreover, how can veterans show potential employers that they’re capable of adapting their skills to a whole new world?
In this episode, founder of PreVeteran, Jason Anderson returns to the show to emphasize the importance of mindset when making a transition.
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What stops more employers from hiring veterans: How do common misconceptions surrounding veterans impact the way employers hire, and is there anything we can do to change that?
- How to understand the difficulties veterans face in the civilian workplace: Do veterans struggle to adapt to their new realities because they’re incapable of doing so, or do their challenges simply boil down to a lack of prior experience in the space?
- The role veterans need to play in their transition: Should the onus of support fall solely on a veteran’s new employer?
Guest Bio-
Jason Anderson is the Founder and President of PreVeteran, an organization dedicated to helping military veterans make a more seamless transition into their civilian careers. An Air Force veteran himself, Jason knows the struggle of transition all too well, having dealt with the frustration of not knowing the steps to success. Today, he is passionate about helping others find a way forward as they enter a new stage in their lives, through his PreVeteran courses. Jason is the Global Strategy and Foreign Military Sales SME at Collins Aerospace.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/preveteran
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-anderson-preveteran/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EKGhfxoomB_UenF6Bx40w
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
Every business leader wants to have an abundance of A-Players but what happens when the “rainmakers” have trouble working with the rest of the team?
A disconnect between employees often causes havoc in our businesses and once disruption starts it may be hard to contain.
The question is, however, how do we even begin to find the solution? Is retaining a rainmaking disruptor really worth losing the other dedicated employees?
In this episode, Matt Johnson and I share how to deal with employee conflict.
A-players will not tolerate mediocrity being tolerated, so if you’re in charge of how the team is structured, get rid of the C-players. -Matt Johnson
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Questions to ask when faced with a disconnected team
What are the questions we need to ask when disruption occurs?
- Who to keep on our teams (and who to let go)
Is there a ‘right’ way to reshuffle our teams, and who stays? Who goes?
- How to tell when an A-player is more trouble than good
Is the cost of a star employee worth the benefit?
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.