How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
What goes up, usually comes down and cycles are called “cycles” for a reason! Dr Adam Pilarski, Senior Vice President of AVITAS, shares his thoughts on the economic changes in commercial aviation.
Aviation is cyclical; we have to remember cycle means not only up but also down. There will be some negative moments in the coming future. -Dr Adam Pilarski
Takeaways + Tactics
- Pay attention to politics. A major reason for the sudden expansion of the industry is government-sponsored programs across the globe.
- Accept the cycle. The aviation industry is cyclical, meaning sometimes there will be negative moments. Hard times are inevitable.
- While it’s easy to think the current boom is positive, be aware that over supply of airplanes will, likely, cause the next industry crash
Guest Bio:
Dr Adam Pilarski is a writer, speaker and the Senior Vice President at AVITAS. He holds a BA in Economics, a MA in Development from Tel Aviv University, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Illinois. Dr Pilarski is a well-known academic writer, and is the author of the book, Why Can’t We Make Money in Aviation? Thanks to his experience in the industry, Dr Pilarski is considered one of the foremost experts in aviation, and is the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Airfinance Journal.
To find out more about Dr Adam Pilarski, visit
https://www.avitas.com/team/adam-m-pilarski-ph-d/
And for his book, head to
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Cant-Make-Money-Aviation/dp/0754649113
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 Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
CIA Tactics for the boardroom?
Michele Rigby Assad, former CIA undercover operative and author of Breaking Cover, My Secret Life in the CIA shares why human connection is so important and what being a CIA operative has taught her about communication.
Learning how to make connections with others is really fundamental to being successful. -Michele Rigby Assad
Takeaways + Tactics
- Be prepared! The more we know about the person on the other side of the table, the more confidently we can engage.
- DO NOT underestimate the value of finding common ground. The more you have, the better the communication.
- Respect is critical. Treat everyone with respect and train your teams to do the same.
At the start of the episode, Michele explained that the CIA tactics of connecting with people are completely applicable in every business. We also discussed that every meeting is a negotiation we need to be prepared for.
We also spoke about:
- The importance of body language
- Why we should always aim to be the smartest person in the room
- How telling our stories can help us build connections more easily
Regardless of the industry we’re in, if we want to be successful, we have to make connections with people. To build connections with better results, we have to go into meetings armed with information, and know what we have in common with the people we’re meeting. Throughout the process, remember to be respectful; when we’re dealing with human beings, it’s easy to draw conclusions prematurely. But if we can train ourselves and our teams to treat everyone respectfully, we’ll be well on our way to building stronger, more effective connections.
Guest Bio
Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. Trained as a counterterrorism specialist, Michele served her country for ten years, working in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations.
Upon retirement from active service, Michele and her husband Joseph (also a former agent) joined a group of Americans who wished to aid persecuted Christians. Their efforts resulted in the evacuation of a group from northern Iraq that was featured on ABC’s 20/20 in December 2015.
Michele holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University. Today, she serves as an international security consultant. She is also the author of Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For.
To find out more about Michele, visit:
https://michelerigbyassad.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rigby-assad-b25695135/
And find Breaking Cover online at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N79ILGD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
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 Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
CIA Tactics for the boardroom?
Michele Rigby Assad, former CIA undercover operative and author of Breaking Cover, My Secret Life in the CIA shares why human connection is so important and what being a CIA operative has taught her about communication.
Learning how to make connections with others is really fundamental to being successful.
-Michele Rigby Assad
Takeaways + Tactics
- Be prepared! The more we know about the person on the other side of the table, the more confidently we can engage.
- DO NOT underestimate the value of finding common ground. The more you have, the better the communication.
- Respect is critical. Treat everyone with respect and train your teams to do the same.
At the start of the episode, Michele explained that the CIA tactics of connecting with people are completely applicable in every business. We also discussed that every meeting is a negotiation we need to be prepared for.
We also spoke about:
- The importance of body language
- Why we should always aim to be the smartest person in the room
- How telling our stories can help us build connections more easily
Regardless of the industry we’re in, if we want to be successful, we have to make connections with people. To build connections with better results, we have to go into meetings armed with information, and know what we have in common with the people we’re meeting. Throughout the process, remember to be respectful; when we’re dealing with human beings, it’s easy to draw conclusions prematurely. But if we can train ourselves and our teams to treat everyone respectfully, we’ll be well on our way to building stronger, more effective connections.
Guest Bio
Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. Trained as a counterterrorism specialist, Michele served her country for ten years, working in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations.
Upon retirement from active service, Michele and her husband Joseph (also a former agent) joined a group of Americans who wished to aid persecuted Christians. Their efforts resulted in the evacuation of a group from northern Iraq that was featured on ABC’s 20/20 in December 2015.
Michele holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University. Today, she serves as an international security consultant. She is also the author of Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For.
To find out more about Michele, visit:
https://michelerigbyassad.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rigby-assad-b25695135/
And find Breaking Cover online at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N79ILGD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
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 Oct 31, 2019
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Extreme ownership creates effective leadership, even when it means fessing up to our shortcomings. Good leaders will accept responsibility for the performance of their teams – good or bad.
While leadership is ultimately responsible for results, they must encourage their teams to own that which is theirs.
Extreme ownership is realizing that if you’re the captain, you have to take responsibility and cannot blame others for a lack of results. - Craig Picken
To be great leaders and executives, we need to accept that we are responsible for everything that happens in our companies. We can never shift the blame to our employees, because win or lose, the results we get are of our own doing. However, that doesn’t mean we should be increasing our mental burdens while tasks are being completed. Encourage employees to take full responsibility of their tasks, but check in with them regularly. Most importantly, don’t shy away from taking responsibility for our actions. No one wants to admit defeat, but by doing so, we put ourselves in a position to grow.
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.
To contact Craig, email craig@northstaresg.com
You can also call him on 910 509 7129
And check out his newly revamped website: http://northstaresg.com
Thursday Oct 24, 2019
Thursday Oct 24, 2019
It’s vital we start thinking about the company culture – NEVER underestimate its importance. In this 15 minute episode we discuss why and how cultures will make or break companies in 2020.
Great company cultures are built by giving people roles they’re capable of handling. If they don’t succeed, it’s up to us as leaders to give them guidance. - Craig Picken
Takeaways + Tactics
- Identify company culture by monitoring the way employees interact with each other. The way people behave around each other at work says a lot about the overall culture.
- Never underestimate the importance of culture; the customs of our companies make all the difference.
- Our values attract recruits who align with them. If we’re aiming to hire self-sufficient employees, we need to offer an environment that allows them to take full ownership of their tasks.
- The new year is fast approaching, and it’s important we start taking stock of the culture we’re creating in our companies. While it may seem like a minor issue, company culture impacts every part of our businesses: from the way work is completed to the hiring processes. Culture can either make or break our companies. In 2020, let’s strive for the former.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.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.
To contact Craig, email craig@northstaresg.com
You can also call him on 910 509 7129
And check out his newly revamped website: http://northstaresg.com
Thursday Oct 17, 2019
Thursday Oct 17, 2019
Everyone has a great story to tell, so tell it!
70% of the buying decision has already been made online and transactional business can be done via online marketing. Strategic buying decisions, however, require sound, professional relationships
Tom Schwab discusses how businesses and people can rise from obscurity to share their message.
Marketing is starting the right conversation with someone that could be an ideal customer.
-Tom Schwab
Takeaways + Tactics
- 70% of the hiring decision is made by what employers see about someone online.
- It’s easy to make a transactional decision based on an online marketing tactic, but hiring a trusted professional requires a relationship.
- Many experts believe the future is vivid audio, not video. Video ages but audio doesn’t. When we listen to audio, we’re just focusing on what the person is saying, not how dated the technology, video quality and style is.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
At the start of the show, we talked about the massive opportunities we have to tell our stories and stand out from the crowd. We also discussed how marketing and our online personas play into the hiring process. Next, we talked about the importance of being defined and focused in your marketing, and the difference between transactions and relationships.
We also discussed;
- Why the future of marketing is vivid audio
- The importance of sharing the good work we do
- The channels we can use to get our message out
Whether we use blogs, podcasts or videos, the barrier to entry to tell our story is extremely low right now, but with that comes a lot of noise and a lot of competition; everyone’s biggest problem is obscurity. In order to stand out, we need to get the marketing tactics right, and understand that in our business, the relationship matters more than the transaction.
Guest Bio
Tom Schwab is the founder and CEO of Interview Valet. Drawing on his engineering, corporate, and ecommerce inbound marketing experience, Tom helps thought leaders (coaches, authors, speaker, emerging brands) get featured on leading podcasts their ideal prospects are already listening to. Then, he helps them to turn listeners into customers. To get a free copy of his book, go to https://interviewvalet.com/aerospace/.
Book Mentioned
CLICKSAND: How Online Marketing Will Destroy Your Business (And The Unlikely Secret To Saving It by Bill Troy
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 Oct 03, 2019
Thursday Oct 03, 2019
Tyler Rogoway, Editor for “The War Zone” (www.thewarzone.com) is THE expert on the world’s militaries, capabilities and defense programs. In this episode he flawlessly highlights Chinese military expansion, why DOD programs are struggling and how Innovation will need to come to the rescue.
Takeaways + Tactics
China is moving far and fast with incredible technological advancements.
The US Military is stuck in its ways and a lack of Engineering talent may be its Achilles Heel.
To meet the world’s threats the Pentagon and Aerospace Industry will have to significantly change the way they do business with each other
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.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 Sep 26, 2019
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
He’s much more than just “the Black Hawk Down” guy… Mike Durant is also an accomplished entrepreneur, CEO, and business leader who gets results. Learn how he creates a company culture that makes for happier employees and better results.
Takeaways + Tactics
Having the right people on the team makes all the difference. Leaders must ensure they hire the right people for the job. If an employee is the wrong fit, remove them quickly.
Hands-on management is vital. Leaders should be in the trenches with their teams, not in their own, narrow bubbles.
Stick to your values! The glue that holds a company together is the standards leaders put in place.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.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 Sep 19, 2019
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Most organizations screen leaders based on their Brainiac intelligence (IQ). What they ignore is the emotional ability to connect, the EQ, which is a vastly more important tool to drive teams forward. What can EQ achieve that IQ cannot?
EQ is all about interacting with people in a strategic way that get things done. Instead of focusing on how smart someone is, we should be more focused on what kind of leader they are, how they communicate and their ability to positively interact with those around them.
A big part of EQ is empathy, understanding the other person and walking in their shoes.
-Craig Picken
Takeaways + Tactics
AI is coming and it will be smart. But it cannot connect with people.
Those who are accountable for the results must have the responsibility and the authority to achieve them.
EQ is the ability to connect with people in a way that helps them and the organization.
Books
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
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.
To contact Craig, email craig@northstaresg.com
You can also call him on 910 509 7129
And check out his newly revamped website: http://northstaresg.com
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
There are two types of business leaders: Top down leader who dictates tasks that needs to be done and the commander-style leader who sets the strategy and relies on his team to implement it. What style do “A” players work with best?
CEOs who micromanage cannot be effective. -Craig Picken
Takeaways + Tactics
Sometimes getting the best results means giving control to your teams
Hire the right people and let them excel; they will excel and do what’s right
People want to be trusted, not micromanaged.
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.
To contact Craig, email craig@northstaresg.com
You can also call him on 910 509 7129
And check out his newly revamped website: http://northstaresg.com