Can you learn leadership in three days?

You may be highly competent technically, but what happens when promotion means adopting a whole new set of leadership skills you’ve never really needed before. Northwest Airlines Captain Leadership Programme has proved highly successful for First Officers stepping up to the role of Captain.

17th July 2009 published by Webmaster

“Don’t expect me to sign up for charm school” was a typical reaction to the proposed Captain Leadership Programme MSB was asked to develop for Northwest Airlines.

Technically at the top of their game and with process and systems skills to match, they have never felt the need to address the ‘softer’ skills of strong leadership.Yet, following some searching diagnostics, and with a senior management team ready to listen, MSB developed with NWA a hugely successful leadership programme for pilots taking on the Captain role.

Designed to develop the competencies Northwest is keen to see in its leaders, the programme focuses initially on self-awareness and the awareness of others’ preferred behavioural styles, and how that behaviour might change in times of stress.

"Awesome; turned out to be extremely accurate & helpful. Do not change anything except giving us a second test to take home to our spouse"

Over a period of 2 days, we move on to cover team-work and collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making, communications and conflict management. Some months later, a third day, the Consolidation Day, allows the pilots to revisit their learnings after they have had a chance to use them in the field, and then build on them with further skills. The whole experience is linked firmly to their business environment, finishing in an exploration of the legacy they will leave behind them.

Running monthly, ratings for the programme average over 9 out of 10, and this non-compulsory programme has been greatly oversubscribed. The last words must go to the delegates:

“I will take a lot away to use at work and personal life. One of my best experiences as a captain and employee of NWA - above excellent”

“The best course NWA has ever provided. Needs to be extended to front-line staff and to executive management. This course builds TRUST.”

“For the last 11.5 years, being an NWA pilot was always about flying the plane, and hardly anything on human relations. I believe this course should be a requirement for all captains or at least parts of it included during CQ and new hire accesses as well”

MSB is also currently running a number of highly successful leadership programmes including a programme for the Matrons of Nuffield Healthcare Hospitals and one for cabin crew wanting to make the step up to Purser.