# Flight Leaders, part of McGallen & Bolden > Flight Leaders offers aviation-inspired leadership, crisis management, and decision-making training for corporate executives, airlines, and teams. Flight Leaders (flightleaders.com), a division of McGallen & Bolden, provides aviation-inspired leadership, crisis communication, and decision-making training for corporations and airlines. Co-founded by retired airline captain Capt. Michael Caston and corporate strategist Dr. Seamus Phan, the firm integrates Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles with strategic leadership insights to help teams navigate high-stakes crises, abnormal emergencies, and high-pressure environments. - Brand: Flight Leaders, FlightLeaders --- # Engage Flight Leaders to inspire your C-suite now! Source: https://flightleaders.com/enquiry/ ## Engage our services now! If you like to inspire your C-suite team, [contact us by email](mailto:websitesubmit@flightleaders.com?subject=FlightLeaders) today! You can also fill in this form below: Contact us at: **Flight Leaders division** **McGallen & Bolden Group** **Tel: [+6531051378](tel://++6531051378)** --- # About Flights Leaders program Source: https://flightleaders.com/about/ Flightleaders.com (Flight Leaders) is a division of [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?flightleaders), offering leadership and crisis communication training for corporations and aviation companies. The training and facilitation programs are co-developed by Capt. Michael Caston and Dr Seamus Phan. Capt. Caston is an EASA & FAA certified CRM facilitator/trainer, human factors specialist, and a retired airline captain with more than 40 years of experience. Dr Phan is a corporate and leadership development consultant and trainer with over 35 years of industry and professional experience. ## Our lead developers and coaches #### Capt. Michael CASTON, MRAeS Connect on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcaston) ![Captain Michael Caston](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/captmichaelcaston_DSCF7219-150x150.jpg) Michael is a retired senior airline captain (BA and SIA) with more than 40 years of flying experience. He has also written and developed several flight training courses for local schools and polytechnics including a Jet Orientation Course. He was involved in advising for ab-initio flight training seminars and spent a short period at CAE (Oxford Aviation) Hong Kong as a SFI on the Boeing 737NG simulator. He is currently teaching (part time) ATPL subjects to cadet pilots at [Cannes Aviation in France](http://www.cannes-aviation.com/en/#a2), specializing in Human Performance. He is an EASA & FAA certified CRM (crew resource management) trainer and facilitator. From 2007-2017 he was the owner/operator of Virtual Flight Asia operating a fixed base FTD based on the B737NG and was part of the team involved with the development of the synthetic trainer and its application for certification with regulatory authorities. #### Dr Seamus PHAN Connect on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seamusphan) ![IMG_20200521_003429_247](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_20200521_003429_247-150x150.png) Seamus has earned more than 38 years experience in marketing, technology, science, and strategy. Pioneer technologist in digital media and publishing, content management systems (CMS), and full-stack web programming. Pioneer cybersecurity and Internet consultant (co-developed email security server appliance on UNIX). Pioneer Service Quality (Customer Service) consultant and author. Postdoctoral biochemistry research in the areas of autoxidation of food lipids and alternative antioxidants. Doctoral research culminated in a UNIX-based business analysis server system. Authored books on technology, marketing, customer service, total quality management (TQM), and philosophy. His corporate and consulting background grew from leading entities such as Seagate, Citibank (Citigroup), Price Waterhouse (PWC), Ernst & Young (EY), and so on. He was an inductee of the 500 Profiles in Excellence and Barons 500 Leaders of the New Century, amongst the likes of Sir Arthur C Clarke, Bill Gates, Nobel Peace Prize winner President Kim Dae-Jung (Korea), artist Peter Gabriel, "Seven Years in Tibet" movie director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Cardinal Jan Peer Schotte (Sec-Gen of the World Synod of Bishops), etc. He is a seasoned journalist, has co-hosted international TV and radio segments, and written for top international and regional technical, business, health, ethics and branding media. Featured as "Brainstormer" in Seth Godin's "BullMarket 2004". He has served as a professor in the faculties of economic development and diplomacy. He is also an [artist and calligrapher](https://seamusphan.com/artist/) (Chinese painting, 水墨畫), and an aviator. Check out his [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seamus-Phan-2) profile for scientific and other research. Visit [https://seamusphan.com](https://seamusphan.com/?flightleaders) and [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?flightleaders).   ## Our Visual Identity (updated 2023) We have updated our visual identity for a simpler look, hinting at FL, or "flight level", as aviators would understand. This new visual identity is monochromatic in red, and shows a stylized "F" and "L", where they hint of a jet taking off along a runway. ![FlightLeaders.com - aviation-themed leadership and crisis training](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fl4text_whitered_OLwings.png)   #### These are the legacy visual identities: Our general visual brand is a stylized multi-engine jet with the characters "FLIGHT LEADERS" reminiscent of the keys on the FMC, with the light blue sweep as a backdrop hinting of the EFIS. ![Flight Leaders @flightleaders.com - Leadership Training Programs for Aviation](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/flightleaderslogosm.png) This modified version of our visual brand features stylized wings, which is used for collaterals such as T-shirts, polo shirts, and other branded items and merchandise. ![FlightLeaders visual identity for merchandise](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/flwingart-300x62.jpg) All visual identities are trademarks, and all content are copyrighted and all rights reserved. Contact us [here](https://flightleaders.com/enquiry/), or **Flight Leaders division** [**McGallen & Bolden**](https://mcgallen.com/?flightleaders) --- # News and Updates Source: https://flightleaders.com/news/ News and updates will be included on this page. --- # AI Source: https://flightleaders.com/ai/ Testing AI.  --- # Leadership Programs for Aviation, Healthcare, Critical Infrastructures Source: https://flightleaders.com/leadership-training-aviation-corporate/ ### Half-day and Full-day workshops In the airline industry, safety is paramount. With automation and methodical pilot training, things may be relegated to machines and checklists. But what happens when extraordinary and "out-of-scope" abnormal conditions challenge pilots in the flightdeck? Do they rise up to exemplary and extraordinary leadership? ### "What's Next Leadership 2.0" Immersive Program This revised and improved training program, based on Seamus' earlier work to teach "**What's Next Leadership**" to corporations, and co-developed with Capt Michael Caston, is adapted for the airlines, with references to CRM, MCC, air safety, pilot selection and training, and leadership for command training. The program is thought-provoking for participants to examine and integrate the wisdom of the samurai and early kingdoms, from the works such as Hagakure, Gorinosho, and the Three Kingdoms. This is a great starter program for CEOs, senior executives, leaders in any capacity, pilots, healthcare professionals (doctors, surgeons, ER professionals, crisis response professionals) make good decisions based on our fundamental guiding principles from our Servant Leadership for Aviation programs. This is especially important in today's context of big challenges that confront leadership in many scenarios - COVID-19, pandemics, financial losses, crises, job cuts, trade wars, etc. This program is great for airlines, as it is for hospitals, healthcare companies, sales organizations, critical infrastructure providers, security organizations, and more. - The WHY of leadership - CRM and its effects - Pilot profile, assessment and selection - Psychological profile and competencies - Learning from the East - Historical Three Kingdoms and lessons to be learned - Leaders are warriors - Learning from 17th century classic Hagakure - Learning from 350-years old classic Gorinosho by Musashi - Power of mindfulness in leadership - Benevolent leadership that leapfrogs the ordinary - Immersion: Emergencies in the Flight Deck (Flight Simulator) - Discussion: Lessons of Leadership learned from the Flight Deck - Footprint business card™ Seamus, our leadership trainer, spoke in a 20-minute TED-style talk at the [APATS (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium)](http://halldale.com/dr-seamus-phan-abstract#.V1mA1rsrJhE) in Singapore, based on the Servant Leadership for Airlines program we have. ![APATS 2016, Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium, Seamus Phan, leadership, inspiration, motivation](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/20160830_apats2016_seamusphan-1024x768.jpg) > "The Human Factors session (the last session on Day 1) saw a nearly packed house held captive by Dr Seamus Phan of The McGallen & Bolden Group...;  that set the stage for Dr Seamus Phan to work magic with his delightful time travel presentation wherein he linked philosophies from Ancient China and Japan to Leadership lessons for modern-day aviation organisations." ([source](https://thebengali.com/2016/09/08/notes-on-aviation-training-trends-from-apats-2016/): Sanjay Mahendrakumar Mukherjee) > > "I was at the conference and this speech was very inspiring and fun at the same time. Great performance!" (source: Capt J. Drappier) ### Customized Interactive Training We offer a customizable Interactive Training Program, the **BRM™Leadership Decisions**,** **to help CEOs, senior executives, leaders in any capacity, pilots, healthcare professionals (doctors, surgeons, ER professionals, crisis response professionals) make good decisions based on our fundamental guiding principles from our Servant Leadership for Aviation programs. This is especially important in today's context of big challenges that confront leadership in many scenarios - COVID-19, pandemics, financial losses, crises, job cuts, trade wars, etc. The customizable Interactive Training Programs are of the following format: - Full-day program - Introductory principles and facilitated lecture, on Critical Decision Making - Interactive Video segments for decision making - Facilitated classroom Role-plays with more complex scenarios requiring parallel and simultaneous complex decisions (with underlying principles from CRM and MCC) - Discussion and Debrief We will be happy to customize our leadership training programs for your airline or business. [Talk](https://flightleaders.com/enquiry/) to us. Meanwhile, you can try out our interactive demos of our interactive training program for **BRM™Leadership Decisions for Pilots**. ### Demo 1 - Contaminated wings ### Demo 2 - Fireworks ### Demo 3 - 45 minutes delay ### Demo 4 - Bad weather ## Engage our services now! --- # Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet Source: https://flightleaders.com/leadership-secrets-corporate-training/ ### Half-day and Full-day Workshops for Businesses Veteran airline pilot Capt Michael Caston and Seamus Phan co-developed a workshop "Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet" for corporations. The workshop is highly experiential and hands-on, where CXOs, senior business leaders and managers, can be briefed on aviation best practices, and then apply these within the flight simulator, instructed by real pilots, and then synergize and integrate these time and field-proven ideas back at running their businesses, more effectively and more profitably. - Presentation - Pre-Simulator Briefing - Simulator session (Crew of 4, for a total group of 16) Pre-flight briefing (SOPs, checklists, briefings) - Flight from A to B (Choice of departure/destination, day/night/weather) - Engine start (Taxi, take-off, minor problem solving) - Cruise (Problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, threats, errors, automation, etc) - Descent (Passenger handling, landing scenarios, etc) - Q&A ## Engage our services now! --- # Data Protection, Privacy, Terms of Use Policies Source: https://flightleaders.com/legal/ By visiting this site and reading its contents, you agree that the site may store cookies for authentication, analytics and customer service, or may request for your contact information. **If you do not agree, please leave the site.** #### Effective Date: March 21, 2018 #### Introduction This policy document describes how we deal with intellectual property (IP), liabilities, services, data protection, privacy, and cookies: - **Copyrights/Trademarks** - **Data Protection and Privacy** - **Terms of use of our information** - **Disclaimer of Liability** - **Shipping and Returns** - **Minors** - **General Provision** - **Prohibited Content** #### 1. 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Such tough times mean that we cannot rely on "gut feel", or allow less experienced hands to lead our teams through such troubled waters. We need peers with real experience in the field, solving problems through the decades to be on our side. ## Combining nearly 80 years of collective experience The aviation-inspired training and facilitation programs are co-developed by Capt. Michael Caston and Dr Seamus Phan, with collectively nearly 80 years of industry and field experience. Capt. Caston is an EASA & FAA certified CRM facilitator/trainer, human factors specialist, flight instructor, and a retired airline captain with more than 40 years of flight deck experience. Dr Phan is a corporate and leadership development consultant, communicator and strategist with nearly 40 years of industry and professional experience, as well as an aviation enthusiast. Both Capt. Caston and Dr Phan make an excellent Red Team for your business, lending an incisive and collegial perspective to accelerate your business growth. ## Aviation-themed "Red Team" If you are a business leader or a team looking to expand and build your business, if you are a tech startup or even "unicorn" looking for a fresh perspective to your current leadership and operations, or if you are looking to build a crisis management and crisis communication program to better equip your business with incident-readiness, talk to us now. Or, if you like to work with a team who loves aviation and brings the best of aviation leadership, crisis management and communication principles into your ecosystem, whether you are a multinational corporation (MNC), Fortune 500 company, a tech or health tech firm, or just looking for a great teambuilding program, we are your team! ## What's Next Leadership at 30,000 Feet We feature 2 types of coaching and interactive programs: - [**What's Next Leadership**](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-training-aviation/) (featuring unique insights from ancient China and Japan, with CRM and MCC principles), as well as customized interactive training - **[Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-secrets-corporate-training/)**™ workshops for corporate teambuilding What can ancient China and feudal Japan teach us about leadership, crises and teamwork? What can pilots in a flight deck flying passengers and cargo teach us about effective communication with clients, leaders and peers, and solving emergencies and crises? How would we behave in a scenario of SOPs (standard operating procedures), sudden changes in our environment and ecosystem, and other unexpected events? Do we stay calm, follow through on the events and crises to conclude convincingly and effectively? ## Engage our services now!     --- # Videos Source: https://flightleaders.com/videos/ Videos featuring our speakers and trainers will be up here. [![apats2016sim_20160831_125606](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/apats2016sim_20160831_125606-1024x576.jpg)](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/apats2016sim_20160831_125606.jpg) --- # Piloting Through Turbulence: Why Business Leaders Need Aviation-Grade Strategy Source: https://flightleaders.com/piloting-through-turbulence-why-business-leaders-need-aviation-grade-strategy/ In a world defined by "shifting sands"—where geopolitical conflicts, economic instability, and the relentless disruption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshape the landscape daily—business as usual is a flight path to nowhere. For leaders in high-stakes industries like cybersecurity, SaaS, HealthTech, and industrial automation, the margin for error has vanished. One data breach, one botched media interview, or one indecisive moment during a safety crisis can ground a company permanently. To navigate this volatile airspace, standard corporate training is no longer sufficient. You need a cockpit view. You need the precision of aviation-grade leadership. This is why forward-thinking executives are turning to Flight Leaders, a specialized division of the award-winning agency McGallen & Bolden, to crisis-proof their organizations. ## The Storms on the Horizon Consider the daily reality for a CEO in the robotics or cloud computing sector. You aren't just battling competitors; you are battling entropy. A cybersecurity firm is one zero-day vulnerability away from a PR nightmare. A healthcare provider is one patient data leak away from regulatory hell. In industrial automation, a single safety failure can erode decades of trust. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the "turbulent air" of the modern business ecosystem. The rapid adoption of AI adds another layer of complexity, demanding that leaders not only manage humans but also govern algorithms and autonomous systems. In this environment, "gut feel" is a liability. You need protocols, discipline, and the ability to make split-second decisions that save the ship. ## Enter Flight Leaders: Leadership at 30,000 Feet Flight Leaders differentiates itself by discarding the fluff of traditional corporate workshops in favor of battle-tested methodologies derived from the cockpit. Their unique value proposition lies in Crew Resource Management (CRM)—the same set of principles that commercial pilots use to manage stress, communication, and decision-making during in-flight emergencies. When you engage Flight Leaders, you aren't just hiring consultants; you are deploying a "Red Team" to stress-test your business. Their programs, such as "Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet™," utilize simulation and rigorous scenario planning to expose cracks in your crisis response before a real crisis hits. They teach your C-suite how to compartmentalize fear, prioritize tasks, and communicate with air-traffic-control precision when the alarms start ringing. ## The Power of the Pilot and the Strategist The credibility of Flight Leaders stems from its formidable leadership duo, bringing together 80 years of collective experience. The programs are co-developed by Capt. Michael Caston, a retired airline captain with over 40 years on the flight deck, and Dr. Seamus Phan, an industrial proponent in corporate strategy and communication and an aviation enthusiast. This combination is rare. Capt. Caston brings the operational rigor of aviation—where checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs) save lives. Dr. Phan brings the strategic acumen of a veteran business consultant who has weathered every major economic storm from the 1990s to the post-pandemic era. ## Backed by the McGallen & Bolden Team Flight Leaders is not a pop-up coaching shop; it is the training arm of [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?flightleaders), one of Asia Pacific’s longest-standing independent strategy and PR agencies. This connection is vital. It means that when you undergo media training or crisis simulation, you are benefiting from 30+ years of frontline experience in reputation management. McGallen & Bolden has successfully represented clients in the most unyielding sectors: B2B technology, industrial safety, and enterprise software. They know that in these industries, "spin" doesn't work. Only truth, speed, and clarity work. They prepare you to face the media not just with talking points, but with the confidence of a pilot who knows exactly how to land the plane, regardless of the weather. ## Why You Must Act Now The turbulent world does not wait for you to get ready. The next supply chain disruption, the next AI ethical dilemma, or the next global health scare is already brewing. For business leaders in AI, healthcare, and robotics, the cost of unpreparedness is existential. Engaging Flight Leaders is an investment in your own survivability. It is about equipping your leadership team with the mental toughness of a flight crew and the communication skills of a master diplomat. Don't wait for the warning lights to flash. Prepare your flight deck now. Visit flightleaders.com to explore their simulation programs, or connect with the parent agency at mcgallen.com. For a deeper dive into the mind of your lead trainer, explore the insights at seamusphan.com. In a world of shifting sands, be the leader who knows how to fly. [Contact us now](https://flightleaders.com/enquiry/). ### --- # Why Flight Leaders is the Critical Team for Success in the Age of Tech and Crisis Source: https://flightleaders.com/why-flight-leaders-is-the-critical-team-for-success-in-the-age-of-tech-and-crisis/ In an era defined by rapid technological disruption and geopolitical instability, businesses operating in high-stakes fields like cybersecurity, AI, robotics, automation, industrial engineering, and specialized healthcare (clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, pharmaceuticals, and health tech) face unique challenges. Success for these companies is not just about innovation; it’s about their ability to master media interaction and navigate catastrophic crisis communications. This is where Flight Leaders, a specialized division of the award-winning McGallen & Bolden Group, proves indispensable. By combining decades of strategic communication expertise with an aviation-inspired approach to leadership and crisis management, Flight Leaders offers the robust framework needed to thrive in a turbulent environment. ## Specialist Expertise in Critical Industries The core strength of McGallen & Bolden, and by extension, Flight Leaders, is its deep specialization in the very industries that are shaping the future. They are pioneers and experts in serving the Asia Pacific region across these domains: - **Tech**: Explicitly covering AI & robotics PR and the challenges posed by new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation. - **Security & Industrial**: Offering expertise in cybersecurity PR (including internet, network, cloud, and mobile security) and industrial & B2B PR (including automation and safety, IoT, industrial controls). - **Healthcare**: Specializing in healthcare and pharmaceuticals (hospitals, clinics, supplements, skincare, etc.), often working with health tech firms. McGallen & Bolden’s mission for clients is straightforward: get people to KNOW your business and help you secure LEADS. This focused, industry-specific counsel ensures that complex technical narratives are transformed into compelling, public-facing stories that drive business growth. ## Media Interaction and Strategic PR Interacting effectively with the media requires a blend of strategy, content, and coaching. Flight Leaders’ parent company, McGallen & Bolden, has been a leading strategy, marketing, and PR agency in Asia for over 30 years, delivering BIG agency results at boutique firm retainer fees. They provide a comprehensive suite of services essential for positive media engagement: - **Public Relations & Digital Marketing**: Offering Public Relations (PR), content creation (AI, text, audio, video, social), pro-active media pitching, and Digital Marketing (including LinkedIn and lead generation campaigns). - **Media Coaching**: They offer tailored media coaching to C-suite executives, ensuring leaders can effectively communicate with clients, peers, and the press, which is paramount for brand building and maintenance. ## Aviation-Inspired Crisis Communications When a crisis hits, be it a cybersecurity or data breach, a workplace incident, or a financial scandal, businesses cannot rely on "gut feel." Flight Leaders introduces an element of structure and rigor derived from the ultimate high-stakes environment: aviation. Flight Leaders provides aviation-inspired leadership, crisis management, & decision-making training. These principles, which draw from Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles, equip corporate leaders and teams with the ability to: - **Make Better Decisions**: Learn how to stay calm and follow through on events and crises to conclude convincingly and effectively, even when faced with sudden changes or unexpected events. - **Formulate a Response**: They work closely with organizations to formulate comprehensive crisis communication and management programs and provide rapid response (RR) support. - **"Red Team"**: Flight Leaders offers a specialized "Red Team" function to provide an incisive and collegial perspective, accelerating business growth and enhancing incident readiness. ## Mentors The credibility of Flight Leaders and McGallen & Bolden is anchored by the deep, dual-faceted experience of their principals. One of the mentors and strategists, Dr. Seamus Phan, serves clients since the early 1990s as a global C-suite publicist and strategist, Dr. Phan co-develops Flight Leaders’ programs and brings nearly 40 years of industry and professional experience. His unique background is essential for advising high-tech companies: - **Crisis Mentor**: He specifically mentors C-suite executives in crisis communication and management and media coaching, drawing on first-hand experience from TV, radio, and print journalism. He is the author of the book, "Tough Times, Great PR," which distills lessons from global conflicts and crises. - **Technology Pioneer**: He is a resource for all things tech, including AI (artificial intelligence) and cybersecurity (DevSecOps), having been a cybersecurity developer and sysadmin since 1996. - **C-suite Strategist**: He serves as a creative think tank on tap for executives, offering field-proven business strategy and cutting-edge ideas to propel marketing and PR to new heights, often working as a fractional CMO or board member. In competitive and challenging times, the partnership with Flight Leaders provides not only a communication strategy but also a leadership transformation. Their combined expertise in technology, media, and crisis management makes them the critical partner for any business in these complex sectors aiming for sustained success. ### --- # Building crisis-ready leadership teams Source: https://flightleaders.com/building-crisis-ready-leadership-teams/ Leaders today face an unprecedented array of challenges, from global conflicts and economic uncertainties to rapid technological disruptions like AI and robotics. Navigating these turbulent waters demands more than just traditional leadership; it requires the ability to handle crises adeptly and communicate with unwavering clarity and empathy. Fortunately, specialized leadership coaching programs sharpened from aviation and ancient Asian philosophies can equip leaders with these vital skills, transforming potential setbacks into opportunities for growth and resilience. ## Crisis-Ready Leadership In an interconnected world, a crisis can emerge swiftly and impact an organization profoundly. Whether it’s a data breach, a supply chain disruption, or a public relations nightmare, the leader’s response is paramount. Effective crisis handling isn't merely about damage control; it's about safeguarding trust, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and ensuring the organization emerges stronger. Drawing inspiration from the structured discipline of aviation, where decision-making under pressure is a daily reality, modern leadership coaching programs offer frameworks for decisive action. These programs, often co-developed by seasoned industry experts and thought leaders, provide practical insights into anticipating risks, developing robust response plans, and executing them with precision. The goal is to instill a "Red Team" mindset, allowing leaders to critically evaluate their strategies and build comprehensive crisis management capabilities. ## Mastering the Art of Stakeholder Communication During a crisis, communication becomes the lifeline connecting a leader to their stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and the public. Miscommunication, or a lack thereof, can escalate an already tense situation, eroding credibility and fostering mistrust. Effective communication, on the other hand, can calm fears, rally support, and provide necessary direction. Leadership coaching emphasizes mastering both internal and external communication. This includes honing public relations (PR) strategies, perfecting internal messaging to keep teams informed and engaged, and developing strong media coaching skills. Leaders learn how to articulate complex information clearly, respond to difficult questions with composure, and convey empathy and assurance even in the most challenging circumstances. Decades of firsthand experience in media and crisis communication, often brought by seasoned coaches, provide invaluable lessons in navigating public scrutiny and shaping narratives effectively. ## The Transformative Power of Leadership Coaching Leadership coaching programs offer a tailored, immersive experience designed to elevate a leader's capabilities. These are not generic workshops but often customized programs that delve into the nuances of an organization's specific challenges. Programs such as "[What's Next Leadership](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-training-aviation-corporate/)" and "[Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet™](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-secrets-corporate-training/)" combine contemporary management principles with timeless wisdom, sometimes drawing from ancient Asian philosophies, to foster a holistic understanding of leadership. A key benefit of these programs is the personalized mentorship they provide. Global C-suite executives, for instance, can receive one-on-one guidance on intricate crisis scenarios and advanced communication techniques. This bespoke approach helps leaders to: - **Enhance Decision-Making**: Learn to make sound judgments under pressure, often leveraging principles like Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) from aviation, which emphasize teamwork and effective communication in high-stakes environments. - **Build Resilience**: Develop the mental fortitude to withstand stress and uncertainty, emerging stronger from adversity. - **Inspire Confidence**: Project an aura of calm and control, instilling confidence in their teams and stakeholders. - **Foster Strategic Thinking**: Gain a deeper understanding of market dynamics, technological shifts, and human capital development to lead through change. These coaching initiatives extend beyond theoretical knowledge, focusing on practical application and real-world scenarios. They equip leaders with actionable strategies for building robust crisis management and communication programs within their organizations, ensuring they are prepared for whatever lies ahead. ## Future-Ready Leaders In an era of perpetual change, investing in leadership coaching isn't just an option; it's a strategic imperative. For organizations seeking to fortify their leadership against future disruptions and ensure effective stakeholder engagement, embracing these specialized programs is a clear path forward. Explore our Leadership Coaching Programs to learn more about comprehensive leadership development, crisis communication, and executive coaching tailored for today's dynamic business environment. Invest in the future of your leadership, and secure your organization's success through effective crisis management and masterful communication. [Talk to us today](https://flightleaders.com/enquiry/)! ### --- # Pilot and leadership transformation in the age of AI Source: https://flightleaders.com/pilot-leadership-transformation-age-ai/ Our CTO Seamus Phan presented a session at the prestigious [Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS) 2023](https://apats-event.com/2023-pilot-conference/) in Singapore, under the Pilot Track, on "**Pilot & Leadership Transformation in the age of AI**". The key question many pilots may wonder is, will AI replace them in the flight deck? When we think of artificial intelligence or AI, its hype seem to permeate through every industry, with some people already thinking that AI would replace some of the human workers, or even displacing entire sectors of industries altogether. Aviation is no different. Aircraft manufacturers and airlines are hoping for AI and automation to eventually replace at least one of the operating pilots in a two-pilot flight deck, if not replacing all human pilots altogether eventually. But is that possible for the foreseeable future? Let's explore some of this. 1. What is AI? 2. Is AI ready? 3. EASA AI Roadmap 2.0. 4. AI use cases in the aviation industry. 5. Will AI replace pilots? 6. A glimpse into what can pilots do with AI today. 7. And one more thing… This work is in collaboration with Capt Michael Caston, both consulting at FlightLeaders, a division of [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). View the edited YouTube video based on part of my presentation during the symposium. You can also find all our YouTube videos on mainstream audio podcast platforms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUwp4KQ9i-I --- # Leading aviation training symposium returns to Singapore in August 2023 Source: https://flightleaders.com/leading-aviation-training-symposium-returns-to-singapore-in-august-2023/ Aviators and aviation professionals, mark your calendar for the return of the physical event of APATS 2023 (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium), organized by the esteemed Halldale Group, and led by industry leader Capt Jacques Drappier. Seamus Phan, lead consultant of FlightLeaders (a division of [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?fleaders)) will present under the Pilot Conference track, on Human Factors, titled "Transformation in the Time of AI", will be on August 30, 2023, 1415 hours (after lunch). The event is at Marina Bay Sands Expo, Singapore. Find out more at: ## https://apats-event.com/2023-pilot-conference/ ### --- # You want to be a real leader? Simulate everything until you master all Source: https://flightleaders.com/you-want-to-be-a-real-leader-simulate-everything-until-you-master-all/ One of the hallmarks of leadership is to have immersive experiences that you can relate to personally, and then nuancing them to help develop your own people working with you. However, short of being hands-on on every single task, what are some of the options for gaining such experiences, especially for an emerging leader, a leader in training, or even a leader already entrenched in the field but placed in even more challenging environments? The funny adage to "fake it till you make it" is true, but not the way you think. Before pilots fly a commercial jet, they go through a type rating program to get acquainted with the jet. The program would normally entail extensive classroom training before immersing in even more grilling training in the flight simulator, and then culminating in flights in the actual jet. The program has to be seriously challenging for good reason - you are handling an expensive machine carrying people and/or cargo, and lives are at stake (including yours). This is why pilots are leaders in every way, having gone through the rigors of immersive experiences first hand, and are able to relate to every possible documented scenario and handle them with exemplary care and poise. We should demand the same of corporate leaders. After all, lives too are at stake - livelihood of lives and families. When a business fails, many families would lose their means of making honest wages, and their abilities to support their families. The economic downturn of the 1980s and later decades bore testimony to this harsh reality. Therefore, leaders have to make good decisions, or risk running not just businesses to the ground, but ruining many lives along with them. ### Simulations as the litmus test What we do at **FlightLeaders.com** is simple - we put corporate leaders through flight emergencies such as engine failures and fires in a [flight simulator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_simulator), and then run them through with trained pilots to show them how best to recover from incidents such as these and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbYD2DESpE At the same time, HOW these corporate executives manage themselves, and their innate personalities, will be put to the litmus test. These training programs are all conducted in an engaging, exciting, and even entertaining manner so that adrenalin-charged corporate executives can enjoy and learn from these programs. After the simulation role-plays, we facilitate the program with these corporate executives to equate learning points from aviation and its best practices for incident and disaster recovery, and aviation communication in its sheer elegance and simplicity. Corporate executives will walk away understanding these key learning points: - **Some will be leaders, some will be followers** - **Leaders have to be in front** - **Disasters and incidents happen (chaos and uncertainty are the only certainties)** - **We must be prepared for disasters and incidents (crisis preparedness)** - **Communication must be simple and precise** - **Teamwork keeps people alive and together** - **Success is a matter of experience - you cannot "wing it"** ### Leaders have to be in front Leaders, by the nature of the name, have to be in front. Being prepared, and showing you know what you are doing because you REALLY know what you are doing, will always be the greatest motivator to your people. Faking it, talking down, hiding behind people, are all signs of weakness and lack of real experience. Be in front boldly, and show your people, your competition, and the world, that you are the leader you say you are, because you have walked the millions of miles, braved through the dangers, traversed challenges and conquered every one of them, and then climbed to the summit to plant the flag. *PS - First written by Dr Seamus Phan, co-pilot of FlightLeaders, on his [blog](https://seamusphan.com).* --- # COVID-19 and other crisis management programs Source: https://flightleaders.com/covid19-crisis-management-media-training-programs/ Our programs are ready and adapted to help CEOs, senior executives, leaders in any capacity, pilots, healthcare professionals (doctors, surgeons, ER professionals, crisis response professionals) make good decisions based on our fundamental guiding principles from our Servant Leadership for Aviation programs. This is especially important in today's context of big challenges that confront leadership in many scenarios - COVID-19, pandemics, financial losses, crises, job cuts, trade wars, etc. Talk to us to customize a crisis management and communication, media training (with mock TV or radio interviews and critique), and leadership and transition training for your team. ![planeflying_PC270787sm](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/planeflying_PC270787sm.jpg) --- # New Year Wishes for 2020 (a poem) Source: https://flightleaders.com/new-year-wishes-for-2020-a-poem/ Here's a poem Seamus wrote: ## Be your bravest yet in 2020 2019 had giants who clashed shoulders, While we clamored around and chose herds. Uncertain times and places ran us in circles, Who were peacemakers and who were saboteurs? 2019 was not the year for the weak, It set itself ablaze week after week. It demanded more from all of us daily, And each of us had to fight or flee. 2019 was a greater beast than 2018, And it made us filled with adrenaline. We had to defend our loves behind stockade, While we fought tooth and nail and prayed. 2019 came and went and we did not succumb, We stood on the debris of places and time. Among all who were fallen we paid respect, And the living we encourage and direct. 2019 is now but a speck of history past, We have a bucket full of wisdom amassed. The year ahead may be murky and unclear, Our souls will be strong and austere. May we brave our faces against the storm, With every skill and talent we outperform. May we wear our plates of armor and shields, And defend our growing and prosperous fields. May you have a blessed and peaceful 2020! ### --- # “What’s Next Leadership 2.0” Immersive Program Source: https://flightleaders.com/whats-next-leadership-2-0-immersive-program/ We have improved the "What's Next Leadership" program and launched "What's Next Leadership 2.0" program with immersive components. Now, leaders and executives can experience the realistic and immersive exercises alongside pilots, in a flight simulator, and run through some flight emergencies. After the immersive experience, participants can derive synergistic learning points of crisis management and leadership. [Find out more!](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-training-aviation-corporate/)   --- # Greetings for 2019, from the team Source: https://flightleaders.com/greetings-for-2019-from-the-team/ Have you labored through 2018, And found it went all too vapid and fast? Have you made a resolution or two, And found them waft all away like dust? Have you ran past myriad hurdles, And found your chinked armor thickening? Have you slayed many demons, And found your success ever more blazing? Have you slowed down now and then, And found yourself and many whom you love? Have you stood firm and dug your heels, And found friends and even foes lifted you above? Have you wondered of the year ahead, And found countless doubts and questions? Have you wondered what you hope for, And found blessings like gold that glistens? So it is our wishes for you my friend, That past battles be stripes on your shoulder, And on all the roads and valleys you travel, Be the wisdom and peace your life find anchor. A blessed New Year ahead! --- # McGallen & Bolden Group Wins Bronze Stevie® Award in 2018 International Business Awards® Source: https://flightleaders.com/mcgallen-bolden-wins-bronze-stevie-award-in-2018-international-business-awards/ **McGallen & Bolden Group Wins Bronze Stevie® Award in 2018 International Business Awards® for PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand** Singapore, August 9, 2018 – McGallen & Bolden Group ([https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com)), the parent of FlightLeaders, was named the winner of a Bronze Stevie® Award in the PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand category in The 15th Annual International Business Awards® today. The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2018 IBAs received entries from 74 nations and territories. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala awards banquet at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel in London, England on 20 October. More than 3,900 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others. McGallen & Bolden Group won in the PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand category. > "We are grateful to the judges and their kind endorsement of our small agency in a highly competitive global award. We are also grateful to have placed the second year running, with a Silver Stevie® in 2017 for PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand in our first international Stevie® submission," said Dr Seamus Phan, head of content and technology, McGallen & Bolden Group. "Against a tough business climate for clients and agencies, we relentlessly improve business efficiencies ('改善' or 'kaizen'), technology adoption, associate empowerment, and help clients with business strategy, branding and positioning, reputation building and protection, 360-degree marketing communication, and innovative leadership training and development. As one of the only boutique B2B (business-to-business) and tech PR agencies since the early 1990s still fiercely independent, we are proud to be the custodian of B2B PR and marketing." The agency has established its FlightLeaders division ([https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com)) for nearly 2 years running, with interactive video, immersive flight deck simulations, and facilitated sessions for leadership development and crisis communication training, based on aviation best practices of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) as well as strategies and tactics from ancient Asian classics such as the Analects, Hagakure and Gorinosho. The agency has also helped clients with web development projects as the foundation of their digital marketing and social media marketing programs, with news sites, microsites, and full-fledged websites and e-commerce websites. This practice area started from the agency since 1996, with pioneering work done since the early birth of commercial Internet through the various evolutions. The agency is also an early pioneer in digital video since the 1990s, from non-linear editing (NLE), cinematic advertising, to current live-streaming on social media. The agency has an established news distribution platform Microwire.info ([https://microwire.info](https://microwire.info)). Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 270 executives worldwide who participated on 12 juries. > "This year's Stevie Award winners in the IBAs are the most distinguished group of winners we've had yet," said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. "We raised the minimum average score from the judges required to qualify as a Stevie winner, so 2018 winners should be especially proud of their achievements. We look forward to presenting their Stevies to them in London on October 20, and to telling their stories over the coming year through Stevie Awards media." Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA. **About McGallen & Bolden Group** Founded in 1991 in Singapore (first as a design consultancy), McGallen & Bolden Group is today one of the most established "boutique" full service digital marketing and public relations consultancies focused on Asia, and is part of the global PRBI network. The firm has consulted for government agencies, large multinational corporations, emerging technology enterprises, fast-moving consumer products companies, medical and pharmaceutical companies, etc. The small agency is an Internet technology pioneer since the inception of commercial Internet in the 1990s, and have kept pace with every facet of Internet and digital media development, with in-house expertise and managed infrastructure to serve clients' needs. The firm is also an established corporate leadership, sales, media training and crisis communication provider since its inception. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). **About the Stevie® Awards** Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com. ### --- # Article on leadership (based on radio interview) Source: https://flightleaders.com/article-on-leadership-based-on-radio-interview/ Why should leaders start looking beyond new Western management thought and the singular and often quoted Art of War? Can leaders learn from mission-critical professionals like airline pilots in managing people and businesses better? A recent radio interview presented us the opportunity to share our thoughts. #### Art of War ad nauseam Although many business leaders and executives have read, heard, or perhaps even adopted Sun Tzu's Art of War (孫子兵法) into their work. The Art of War has been interpreted and possibly been analyzed and studied to death, including by Western management thinkers. However, there is so much more to leadership and competitiveness then just this singular classic. #### So much more to learn and use For example, the Analects by Confucius (孔子), writings from Mencius (孟子), wisdom from the historical Three Kingdoms (三國紀), writings from Yamamoto Tsunetomo (山本常朝) and Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵), are some works that are not as often quoted or written, but are extremely powerful tools that we can learn from and use. Even if you examine military classics from ancient China, there are 7, of which the Art of War is just one of them. While the ignorant may deride such classics, even considering them obscure, the reality is that such classics are powerful and transformative in managing and leading modern companies in this digital age. What we at Flight Leaders have done, is to also bring in a time-proven system, known as CRM (Crew Resource Management) - a team approach to threats and error management for pilots, and integrate it seamlessly with our extracts from the various Asian philosophies, into an innovative and engaging learning program, "What's Next Leadership - Lessons from the Ancient East". #### How it started I got acquainted with retired airline captain Michael Caston, and started to learn about aviation. Through learning, he and I discovered the synergy between CRM and management of companies and people through ancient Asian philosophy. Eventually, we developed our first program "Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet", and subsequently I was invited to speak at the prestigious APATS (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium) on leadership lessons from the East. I spoke on pilot leadership transition, where first officers transition to captains. Leadership transition for first officers in airlines is always a critical problem, and we uncovered the training gap in providing thought-provoking ideas to this industry. We kept developing, and several highly engaging learning programs emerged from our joint development, including "What's Next Leadership - Lessons from the Ancient East", and "Servant Leadership". #### Managing people Leadership is not just about profits. It is about sustainability, and recruiting and nurturing people to contribute to the collective goals of the company. Before the millennial generation emerged in the workforce, most employees would look for successful large companies to work for. The criteria for a job in decades seemed to be whether the company was well-known, and if the remuneration and perks were good. However, the millennials showed a more complex perspective in what kinds of companies they would work for. When millennials were asked what kind of companies attract them, beyond mere remuneration and perks, they would work for companies with a heart and soul. Millennials are also more likely to work for startups, whereby much older employees tend to hope to work for stalwarts. Even though some may imagine running a competitive business seems to contradict being empathetic to employees, the goals are synergistic and convergent. #### Synergistic cockpit and leaders Let me illustrate with an aviation example. In a cockpit, there are just 2 pilots, carrying hundreds of passengers and crew to the destination safely and promptly without problems. In the earlier years of civil aviation, many captains were former fighter pilots and so they tended to be commanding, and first officers would often suffer in silence in such an autocratic cockpit scenario. Later on, young first officers would move up to captains, and some of them decided never to be autocratic captains, but friendly ones instead. However, because the newly minted captains treated their first officers as equals and buddies, accountability became blurred, and the cockpit is somewhat Laissez-faire. The best cockpit situation is a synergistic cockpit where the captain takes ultimate responsibility, but is not autocratic torwards the first officer. The first officer will support the captain in all the ways, and points out potential hazards and problems to the captain. Both pilots will treat each other with respect, but the captain will retain the ultimate burden of accountability and in critical decisions. The synergistic cockpit is the same applicable scenario for corporate leaders. The corporate leader running a business like a synergistic cockpit will shoulder the full burden of accountability for the entire business, but will be respectful to his employees and listens to suggestions, feedback and criticism. #### Discipline and motivation In highly structured organizations, the question of discipline and motivation being opposites will be a conundrum, at least to some people. However, discipline and motivation can work hand in hand together, even in structured organizations. Let us travel back to ancient feudal Japan. In those days, what we call "samurai" are more commonly termed "bushi 武士", which means "armed gentry". As gentry, they were literate and well-versed in arts, language, literature and culture. At the same time, they were warriors, possessing all the combat skills and discipline of a soldier, a martial artist and a swordsman. Such a samurai would work for a shogun (warlord), who also rose from the ranks of a samurai. It is a skilled person working for another skilled person. Likewise, in a cockpit, a captain would be very skilled and experienced, with tens of thousands of flight hours under his belt. A first officer, though lesser in flight hours, is no less trained and experienced in handling the aircraft. Like the shogun and samurai, a captain and a first officer are also a team each with the right skills and knowledge, working closely together. This scenario is equally applicable in a corporate environment. Employees want to acquire skills and knowledge through their jobs, and they expect their bosses to be like the airline captains and the samurai shoguns - highly skilled, experienced and knowledgeable. Employees today expect no less, and will scorn at bosses who are mere talkers and not doers. #### Mentorship While employees expect their bosses to be experts and doers, they also expect to be mentored, especially the millennial generation. And this is exactly what we advocate at Flight Leaders. Leaders, as the word implies, has to be in front. Leaders have to take charge. Leaders have to show the way. If you look at successful restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, the reason for their success is simple - they can cook well. They are leaders who know how and what to do, and can show it to their teams, and lead the business in front. They are not just some silent investors who throw a bunch of money and hope some real skilled people will make things work. Employees, including the millennials, expect the same from their leaders. They expect leaders to be able to be in front to do the job, and demonstrate how to do the job well. Employees want to be able to say, "my boss is great - he knows the job." #### BRM™ - the other half CRM is the team approach to threats and error management, which first started in the cockpit. And from the technical best practices of aviation, CRM (crew resource management), let us now look at BRM™. BRM™ is our slightly playful acronym on CRM, and it stands for Benevolence (仁), Rectitude (義), and Mindfulness (注). Our BRM is derived from the Analects (論語 Confucius and his disciple Mencius), wisdom from the Three Kingdoms (三國紀), and 17th century samurai classics Hagakure (葉隠 Hidden Leaves) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo and Gorinosho (五輪書 Book of 5 Rings) by Miyamoto Musashi. Benevolence and compassion go together (仁慈). Mencius forewarned that only the benevolent should be in high positions. In a corporate environment, ask yourself, do you hope for a leader who shoulders all burdens, or finger-point and blame people? Rectitude (義) is about an unyielding "moral backbone", as we observe from the wisdom from the Three Kingdoms. The archetype for this is the legendary General Guan Yu (關羽). Rectitude is much more than just legal compliance. We need to have leaders and employees who rise to such rectitude, so that the organization will "walk straight". To get things right, we need to START right, and that means nurturing and employing the right people. How does mindfulness translates into a corporate environment? In a typical ancient organziation, whether in the West or the East, everyone, from the farmer, the artisan, the soldier, the warlords, they were all skilled and each had a role to play. It is the same in a cockpit of an airliner. Many people think that pilots don't do very much and everything is on "autopilot". However, that is simply not true! From the gate, to taxi, to the runway, to takeoff, to climb, to cruise, to approach, there are many things to do for both pilots in the cockpit. There are checklists to be checked and cross-checked by the team of pilots. Then there is the weather, the ATC, teamwork with cabin crew, etc. And when things don't go so well, pilots need to plan for contingencies such as go-arounds and diversions. So, pilots have a lot to think about, to be mindful about all the time, and certainly hundreds of things to do, WELL. Mindfulness is not a simple or single state. I call it the 4 states of mindfulness, of self, situations, battle (the flight), and death (the responsibility of all the hundreds of passengers and crew). In contemporary businesses or organizations, the same rules of mindfulness apply. Organizations today have to be Agile and lean, and so employees and leaders cannot become like "furniture" and hide in the background. Every single person must have a role to play, and to be dedicated to play each role well. In summary, CRM and BRM™ are conjoined twins we advocate at Flight Leaders, to empower organizations, leaders and employees, to manage threats and errors well together as teams, and to have the ethos of surviving and thriving together with benevolence, rectitude and mindfulness. ### --- # Our enhanced programs featured on worksmart blog Source: https://flightleaders.com/our-enhanced-programs-featured-on-worksmart-blog/ Editor Joy Tang, of Worksmart Asia, has kindly featured our enhanced training programs, at [http://worksmartasia.blogspot.sg/2018/01/flightleaderscom-to-enrich-programmes.html](http://worksmartasia.blogspot.sg/2018/01/flightleaderscom-to-enrich-programmes.html) We have enhanced all our training program offerings to provide corporations the critical knowledge and skills from aviation CRM (crew resource management) and our own BRM™ (benevolence, rectitude and mindfulness) adapted from the Confucian Analects, Three Kingdoms, Hagakure and Gorinosho. We will be working on more interactive video segments for classroom training as well. --- # What’s Next Leadership talk Source: https://flightleaders.com/whats-next-leadership-talk/ Seamus was invited to speak before the esteemed members of the Royal Aeronautical Society in Singapore, on "What's Next Leadership - lessons from ancient China and Japan", on January 16, 2017. This talk is adapted from his speech at the APATS 2016 (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium) in Singapore last year, which was very well received. --- # Recent news release coverage Source: https://flightleaders.com/recent-news-release-coverage/ You can find some of these sites showing our recent news release: - [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaderscom-300391165.html](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaderscom-300391165.html) - [http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12294991/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaderscom](http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12294991/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaderscom) - [http://www.financial-news.co.uk/39212/2017/01/aviation-training-programs-launched-through-flightleade/](http://www.financial-news.co.uk/39212/2017/01/aviation-training-programs-launched-through-flightleade/) - [http://itruck.news/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaders-com/](http://itruck.news/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-flightleaders-com/) - [http://news.sys-con.com/node/3986931](http://news.sys-con.com/node/3986931) - [https://article.wn.com/view/2017/01/16/Leadership_Training_for_Airlines_and_AviationRelated_Compani/](https://article.wn.com/view/2017/01/16/Leadership_Training_for_Airlines_and_AviationRelated_Compani/) - [http://www.itnewsonline.com/prnewswire/Leadership-Training-for-Airlines-and-Aviation-Related-Companies-from-FlightLeaders.com/470571](http://www.itnewsonline.com/prnewswire/Leadership-Training-for-Airlines-and-Aviation-Related-Companies-from-FlightLeaders.com/470571) - ... --- # News – Leadership training programs launched Source: https://flightleaders.com/news-leadership-training-programs-launched/ Our news release was [published](https://www.newswire.com/news/leadership-training-for-airlines-and-aviation-related-companies-from-18553274) on the wire distribution today. ### Leadership Training for Airlines and Aviation-Related Companies from FlightLeaders.com Singapore, Singapore, January 16, 2017 (Newswire.com) -McGallen & Bolden Pte Ltd, together with Capt Michael Caston, jointly launches various leadership training programs inspired by wisdom from ancient Asia, aimed at airlines and aviation-related companies, now available through https://flightleaders.com. "The premise of our leadership training programs is simple - to provide pilots with a new perspective that can readily help them jump from a managerial situation which governs most flight time, to leadership roles where abnormal and emergency situations demand a mindset that can solve problems meticulously, with surgical and responsible decisions, and with a benign mindfulness necessary to take care of the entire crew and all the passengers in such dire emergencies," says Seamus Phan, lead strategist, McGallen & Bolden Pte Ltd, a leadership thinker and author with over 30 years of experience. **Leadership training for pilots** Commercial aircraft today are complex machines with advanced automation systems with built-in redundancies. Pilots today, while maintaining manual flying skills, must have a thorough understanding and complete knowledge of the aircraft systems. Training pilots to standard operating procedures (SOP) ensures that checklists, procedures, and instructions are followed to regulatory and company standards. During normal route operations when things are going well, pilots are essentially managing the aircraft systems. Ground school and simulator training prepare pilots for the most common and known abnormalities, such as engine fires, engine failures, and other system failures. However, there will be occasions when the pilot is subjected to something outside the scope of SOP and training, as in the historical cases such as the Hudson incident (recently made into a movie - "Sully"). There will be rare occurrences where catastrophic systems failures will require the pilots to understand the effects of “Startle” and to summon their mindfulness, abilities, knowledge, and perhaps creativity to assure the best option to a safe outcome. These emergency situations force the pilots out of a "manager" role to a "leader" role, and that is where leadership training programs would be immediately important and much needed, from ab initio pilot selection, to leadership transition for first officers, and captains. **Servant Leadership for Aviation program** Flightleaders.com has a customizable full-day or half-day training program that helps airlines and pilots think about extraordinary and "out of scope" abnormal emergencies, and challenge the pilots to rise to lead. The program looks beyond the commonly taught CRM (crew resource management), MCC (multi-crew cooperation), air safety, pilot selection and training, and is inspired by wisdom from ancient Asia (including the Analects, the Hagakure, and the Gorinosho, adapted from leadership training programs developed by Seamus Phan): - The why of leadership - CRM and its effects - Pilot profile, assessment and selection - Psychological profile and competencies - Learning from ancient Asia - Historical Three Kingdoms and lessons to be learned - Leaders are warriors - Learning from 17th century classic Hagakure - Learning from 350 years old classic Gorinosho by Musashi - Power of mindfulness in leadership - Benevolent leadership that leapfrogs the ordinary - Footprint business card™. **BRM™ Leadership Decisions for Pilots** Flightleaders.com has another program, a customizable full-day program that provides the same principles from the "Servant Leadership for Aviation" program, distilled into the BRM principle (Benevolence, Rectitude, and Mindfulness), and include an interactive video scenario segment with multiple decision-making outcomes, and a role-play segment for more complex decision-making. - Introductory principles and facilitated lecture on critical decision-making - Interactive video segments for decision-making - Facilitated classroom role-plays with more complex scenarios requiring - parallel and simultaneous complex decisions - Discussion and debrief Both new training programs are co-developed by Caston and Phan over the last 12 months between 2015 and 2016. Phan delivers the leadership transition principles, and Caston leads the facilitated sessions. Both training programs can be tailored to the exacting needs of airlines and aviation-related companies, with interactive video and role-play scenarios. For more information, visit [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com). **About Flightleaders.com** Flightleaders.com is the repository of information related to joint training programs developed by Michael Caston, a retired senior airline captain of over 40 years of experience, and Seamus Phan, a leadership thinker and author with over 30 yeras of experience. Flightleaders.com provides training programs such as the Servant Leadership for Aviation, BRM™ Leadership Decisions for Pilots (interactive videos and role-plays), and Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet (for corporations). Visit [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com). ### --- # APATS Source: https://flightleaders.com/apats/ Seamus, our leadership trainer, spoke in a 20-minute TED-style talk, titled "What's Next Leadership - Lessons from Ancient China and Japan", at the recent [APATS 2016 (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium)](http://halldale.com/dr-seamus-phan-abstract#.V1mA1rsrJhE) in Singapore, based on the [Servant Leadership for Aviation](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-training-aviation/) program we have. The talk was a distilled version featuring our BRM™ principles (benevolence, rectitude, and mindfulness). ![APATS 2016, Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium, Seamus Phan, leadership, inspiration, motivation](https://flightleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/20160830_apats2016_seamusphan-1024x768.jpg) > "The Human Factors session (the last session on Day 1) saw a nearly packed house held captive by [Dr Seamus Phan](http://halldale.com/dr-seamus-phan#.V9EMCJN94Y1) of The McGallen & Bolden Group...;  that set the stage for [Dr Seamus Phan ](http://halldale.com/dr-seamus-phan#.V9EMCJN94Y1)to work magic with his delightful time travel presentation wherein he linked philosophies from Ancient China and Japan to Leadership lessons for modern-day aviation organisations." ([source](https://thebengali.com/2016/09/08/notes-on-aviation-training-trends-from-apats-2016/): Sanjay Mahendrakumar Mukherjee)   --- # Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet Source: https://flightleaders.com/leadership-secrets-at-30000-feet/ We held an Open Day workshop for our [Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet](https://flightleaders.com/leadership-secrets-corporate-training/) workshop for corporations, on Jan 15, 2016. --- Generated from RankReady