In a compelling NBAA aviation industry leadership webinar, five industry veterans imparted decades of wisdom on how to build a lasting career in business aviation and provided future leaders with powerful insights into the secrets of success.
“You can’t go into any vocation or any industry and expect to succeed without total 100% immersion,” noted Wilson Leach, founder and chair emeritus of AIN Media Group.
“Put simply, you have to be passionate about what you do. I’ve been so fortunate because I love aviation and the people in it. The future of our industry is very bright. My advice to future business aviation leaders: choose rightly, be passionate, and immerse yourself, and you will succeed.”
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For Louis Seno, executive director of the International Aircraft Dealers Association, his more than 50 years of experience has taught him that face-to-face connections build the relationships necessary for a rewarding and lasting career.
“You have got to show up,” said Seno. “Today, it’s very easy to be virtual, to dial in. However, I can attribute some of my success in this industry to being there in person. It makes all the difference.”
Belief in your product or service is a prerequisite for success, but leaders distinguish themselves by prioritizing customer service and the colleagues interacting with customers, explained John Rosanvallon, former president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet.
“The product is very important, but the customer is even more important,” he stressed. “At Dassault Falcon Jet, we have hundreds of millions of spare parts and a lot of people around the world supporting our customers – that has been one of our best successes as an international team. You always need to keep in mind that your customers and your people are your biggest assets.”
Mentors are an essential tool for future leaders, especially for women rising to the top of their professions, noted Sheryl Barden, CAM, CEO of business aviation recruitment firm Aviation Personnel International.
“I followed a powerful woman and wonderful role model, and I’ve had numerous female mentors who have helped me in my corporate career and career in business aviation. But there are so few women at the top, and as I look at the new generation coming up, I ask, ‘Where do they find female peers?’’ We do have some wonderful resources, like the International Aerospace Womens Association, which open up opportunities to find those peers we all need,” she said.
For a close-knit industry like business aviation, it is also imperative that leaders stay involved with the community, said webinar moderator Jay Mesinger, CEO and founder of Mesinger Jet Sales.
“Giving back should be a big part of your legacy,” he said. “We need to encourage people coming into our industry to be leaders.”