Contributed by Jeannine Falter, Vice President of Business Development for Duncan Aviation and co-chair for the NBAA Leadership Conference to be held in 2014 and 2015.
Leadership Legacy: Inspiring the Future was the theme for the 2013 NBAA Leadership Conference held in Austin,Texas, Feb. 11-12. This theme reflects the NBAA Corporate Aviation Management Committee’s (CAMC) desire that attendees leave with a heightened awareness and commitment to make a positive difference in their personal life and in the lives of their family members, team members, and their companies. After speaking with a number of the 300+ attendees, many of them members of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA), I believe the conference was a success and that those who attended think that their company will benefit from the two days they spent focused on improving their leadership skills, thinking about their legacy and how they can influence the future, and networking with other business aviation leaders.
Below are just a few of the many takeaways from the great conference speakers.
“Preferred Future Planning is not really about the future. It is about folding the future back on the present so that you can make better decisions today. What can you do today to prepare better and impact the future? …The future is not something that happens. It is something that we do.” – Glen Hiemstra, futurist.
“Your team is a direct reflection on you as a leader. Invest in your best.” – Cheryl Cran, author and leadership change expert.
“Whatever you are doing, give it 100%. Be in the moment. … In order to live fearlessly, change your focus from yourself to others. You can’t be self-conscious when you’re thinking of something bigger than you.” – Craig Zablocki, humorist and author.
“You can’t lead from an office. You have to be out there. Gather opinions, understand the issues, listen and probe.” – David Everitt, recently retired President of John Deere & Company’s Ag & Turf division.
“Leadership is a choice. A conscious choice to work first on yourself and then in turn to positively impact the lives of those around you. … Our willingness to accept the world around us for what it is ignites our readiness to live, work and lead in it.” – Mark Fernandes, Chief Leadership Officer with Luck Companies.
“Do things for the right reason and let life surprise you.” – Bryan Dodge, motivational and leadership expert.
“The legacy you leave is the life you lead.” – James Kouzes, leadership educator, speaker and author.
The 2014 NBAA Leadership Conference will be held the week of February 17, 2014, in Atlanta. As co-chair of next year’s conference, I will be working with Bob Hobbi, owner of Service Elements inPhoenix, to line up speakers. Please contact me if you have suggestions or comments regarding the conference or if you would like to consider becoming a sponsor. Just give me a call at 402-475-2611.