There is no doubt manufacturing is experiencing a rebirth across the United States, and there are a myriad of real estate choices readily available for manufacturers.  Moreover, the rapid advances in aerospace and transportation allude that future transport will surpass all expectations, thus greatly expanding real estate choices (possibly short-term choices) for manufacturers.  Given these dynamic considerations, manufacturing leaders’ real estate decisions are vital for success. Where are these manufacturing leaders that are empowering the [...]

Dr. Daryl Watkins and I recently spent a few days in Mumbai, India with executives from the Indian Aviation community. Various airlines, airports and other related entities were represented in a seminar where we spent three days discussing the Indian aviation environment and ways of understanding the many environmental as well as internal forces these people are dealing with as the Indian aviation industry grows. One must understand that up until a few years ago, [...]

Recently, CAAL was asked to address the Connecticut SBIR and Global Trade conference on the subjects of leadership and innovation. In the process of preparing our remarks I reviewed the 2012 IBM CEO Survey. Titled “Leading Through Connections”, IBM identifies a number of business imperatives that are upper most of CEOs’ business concerns (IBM, 2012). Prominently on the list are: connections, engagement, collaboration, analytical competencies, partnerships, and tolerance for change. All of these subjects are [...]

“Why the specific focus on aviation and aerospace leadership?”  Behind this often asked question lurks (or seems to) a notion the leadership is, well, simply leadership.  So why emphasize aviation and aerospace leadership when some suggest the practice of leadership is essentially the same for all disciplines/professions? These are really good questions, and are at the heart of our Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership (CAAL).   The response is somewhat complex (multi-part).  First, being a [...]

How many of you have played an instrument in a band or an orchestra? Perhaps this was as a child. Do you remember those rare times when everything came together and suddenly your section (in my case it was the trombones) became part of the greater whole, and the music was suddenly coming from the entire orchestra instead of simply a collection of sections defined by the instruments played? How about NASCAR fans who watch [...]

We live in an era of complexity where inflection points are coming more rapidly. Future generations of leaders will need to cope with dramatically different environments than current leaders deal with. New industries are emerging that weren’t conceived of just a few years ago; conversely, some mature industries will be gone.

Leadership is sometimes viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution to organizational issues. That view is further clouded by the multitude of theories that propose specific leadership traits, competencies, behaviors, or shortcuts as a cure-all answer to every organizational challenge. Since many people view leadership as the same across the organization and at every level, the focus remains on getting work done more effectively and more efficiently and not on developing new skills, behaviors, and values as [...]

He needs to flip his mental mode to thinking in terms of becoming a trim tab instead of the rudder. What small sources of influence might he be able to develop and control that could change his level of effectiveness? For instance, maybe he could contribute to the company newsletter, become a union rep, or help with the boss’ pet project. The point is that small changes can have big impacts.

My wife, Liz, is a pilot for Southwest Airlines, and I jokingly tell my friends that although I do not fly actively today, I live vicariously through her, and her career at SWA. However, my own relationship with her employer dates back to 1995 when I was also hired by Southwest. Fresh out of the Air Force, I followed my friends to the place where ex-fighter pilots went to fly commercial airliners and tell stories [...]

At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership (CAAL), we have a team of experts whose focus is on keeping our industry and the companies and institutions within it abreast of the best ways to compete in the global marketplace.