The effective management of pilots

Managers must understand the roots of pilot behavior in order to learn how to foster respect based on trust and professional expertise, rather than on position or status. The work environment must support individual creativity in order to allow for professional growth. If managers start with the conviction that their jobs will be complete when they have adequately trained each of their subordinates to replace them, then the managers become truly effective. The process of playing one subordinate against the other is ineffective. Successful managers of pilots learn to identify and build on individual interests and strengths. There must be no hidden agendas. When pilots feel important, valued, trusted, and supported, they can become indispensable members of the team.