We’ve all heard the saying: Employees don’t leave companies; they leave managers. So if employee retention is aviation’s biggest workforce issue, leadership development must become the highest priority.
Yet, many leaders aren’t aware there’s a problem—or that it stems from their lack of transparency or communication style.
They don’t know what they don’t know.
Insights Into Workplace Wellness
At Aviation Personnel International (API), we’ve observed many well-intentioned leaders who lack this awareness.
For example, at the start of a talent identification project, one of our recruiters will visit a client’s hangar for an environmental assessment. We speak one-on-one with individual contributors, gaining firsthand insights into the client’s organization. Through one-on-one conversations with team members, we gain valuable insights into the organization’s culture.
Although we’re not hired to consult on culture during placement projects, understanding it deeply allows us to identify talent that genuinely complements the existing team.
When aviation leaders ask us, “What did you find? What did the team say?” reactions vary.
Some become defensive and dismissive, while others proactively embrace feedback, recognizing that culture starts at the top. These leaders aren’t afraid to lean into challenging insights and take meaningful action.
As you might expect, leaders who prioritize wellness achieve higher retention and healthier workplace cultures.
Recognizing this, aviation leaders are increasingly seeking API’s guidance to improve their workplaces. They desire clear insights into what’s working, what isn’t and practical ways to enhance team wellbeing.
In response, we’ve created API WorkWell™.
Introducing API WorkWell™
API WorkWell™ is an aviation-focused consulting program designed to strengthen leadership, align teams and create thriving cultures.
It’s a proven, beta-tested two-phase process.
During Phase I, we “examine” your workplace health by conducting both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Using anonymous team feedback, we combine data analytics, expertise from PhD-level organizational psychologists and API’s keen, experience-based insights to deliver a “diagnosis.”
A resulting wellness report identifies your team’s strengths (vital signs), areas for improvement (symptoms) and potential risk factors (complications). Plus, we’ll provide data to benchmark your team against your peers.
Phase II offers a customized “treatment” plan to build engagement and reinforce organizational strengths. Participants also benefit from personalized coaching provided by aviation workforce experts, empowering leaders to drive meaningful, sustainable change.
API WorkWell: A Two-Phased Wellness Program
A Different Kind of Assessment
Unlike some employee surveys, API won’t simply hand you data and walk away. Our aviation workforce specialists partner closely with your team to guide actionable changes—from refining policies and clarifying roles to enhancing communication and developing leadership.
Together, we’ll ensure lasting improvements and sustained success.
As an external partner, API serves as a neutral third-party with over 50 years of aviation experience. We work to develop trust within the organization as we deeply understand your team’s work life and respect the hard work they’ve invested in their careers.
Thanks to assured anonymity, employees feel comfortable speaking openly and honestly with API. They’re more willing to be authentic and engage in meaningful dialogue. In fact, several participants from our beta tests have shared that they feel safer speaking with API than with HR. They also trust us to listen carefully and deliver candid feedback to their leadership team with sensitivity and discretion.
This personalized, candid feedback offers greater value compared to traditional employee surveys, where participants often doubt the anonymity of their responses. Some employees may also doubt their feedback will lead to meaningful changes. Others fear that honest feedback could jeopardize job stability or even risk outsourcing their flight department.
Thankfully, API has the expertise to understand these nuances and sensitivities.
Your Team’s Future Starts Now
Effective leadership directly influences retention, satisfaction and operational success. And, leading the way to workforce comes down to clarity, communication, vision and trust.
Are you ready to build a culture that inspires loyalty, passion and high performance—where your team feels engaged daily, not just during annual reviews?
Investing in your organizational health might reduce your need for our recruitment services. But that’s a risk we’re willing to take. Thriving business aviation teams benefit everyone.
Learn more about API WorkWell™, read the press release, or request a 1:1 consultation at +1-912-527-3110. Let’s keep your team flying high.