22 Leadership Lessons From Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger On Surviving A Plane Crash

Today I finished William Langewiesche’s book , Fly By Wire: The Geese, The Glide, The Miracle Of The Hudson, which details the account of the January 15, 2009 US Airways flight piloted by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.  As seen in the video above, Captain Sullenberger safely glided the plane to rest in the Hudson River after colliding with a flock of Canadian geese.

Justifiably, Captain Sullenberger has been viewed as a hero.  In fact, Tom Hanks is currently filming a movie in which he will play this incredible pilot.

The following are 22 leadership lessons from Langewieshce’s book I gleaned from the man simply known as “Sully”:

1. Great Leaders Often Go Unnoticed Until They Are Needed In Crisis – Captain Sullenberger’s uneventful life went largely unnoticed by his peers at US Airways.
2. Great Leaders Have Been Preparing For Crisis Situations Their Entire Lives  – The publisher of Captain Sullenberger’s book Highest Duty said, “Sully believes his life experience prior to the emergency landing was a preparation for his success.  And that life’s greatest challenges can be met if we are ready for them.”
3. If You Can’t Control Yourself You Can’t Control A Crisis Situation – As an expert and experienced pilot, Captain Sullenberger was capable of “intense mental focus and exceptional self-control.”
4. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Eliminate Distractions – As Captain Sullenberger glided into the Hudson Rivers he “ruthlessly shed distractions.”
5. Experienced Leaders Bring Institutional Knowledge During Times Of Crisis – When asked, “How do you think that your experience with over twenty thousand hours as a pilot helped you during this experience?”  Captain Sullenberger answered, “It allowed me to focus clearly on the highest priorities at every stage of the flight, without having to constantly refer to the written guidance.”
6. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Surround Yourself With A Great Team – When asked why the landing went so well Captain Sullenberger said, “It was many things that in aggregate added up.  Again, e had a highly experienced, well-trained crew.  First Officer Jeff Skiles (co-pilot) and I worked well as a team.”
7. A Leader’s Success During Crisis Is Often Determined By What They Choose Not To Do – Captain Sullenberger said, “We need to know not only what to do but why we do it.”
8. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Be Highly Engaged And Pay Great Attention During Times Of Crisis – Captain Sullenberger also said, “Paying attention matters.  That having awareness constantly matters.”
9. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Have Self-Confidence – Captain Sullenberger was described as someone who “is not the sort to be rushed.”
10. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis It Helps To Have Previously Experienced Crisis – Captain Sullenberger had experienced engine failure before.  This particular flight lost both engines.
11. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Be Innovative – When the engines failed, Captain Sullenberger improvised flight solutions not taught in training rather than relying upon by-the-book procedures.
12. Great Leaders Are Not Passive During Times Of Crisis – During the initial time of crisis Captain Sullenberger took control of the aircraft by telling Officer Skiles, “My aircraft.”  Skiles replied, “Your aircraft.”
13. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Prepare To One Day Successfully Lead Through Crisis – Captain Sullenberger had prepared for this moment his entire life.  He learned to fly in high school on a grass field and earned a private license at age 17.  He also flew while at the Air Force Academy.
14. The People Take Their Cues From Their Leaders, Especially During Times Of Crisis – The crew and passengers in the cabin matched Captain Sullenberger’s calm demeanor during the landing.
15. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Maintain Decorum and Professionalism – Captain Sullenberger rarely swears.
16. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Focus On The Right Things – Captain Sullenberger and Officer Skiles during the glide focused on only two things – getting the engines started and where to land the plane.
17. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Be Decisive – Captain Sullenberger was found to have made the decision to turn back toward LaGuardia Airport after only 18 seconds following the bird strike.
18. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Use Embrace Brevity And Use An Economy Of Words – Captain Sullenberger had a brevity of words during the plane’s glide to the Hudson Bay.  Langewiesche wrote, “You fly the airplane first, you navigate second, you talk on the radio after that.  Sullenberger was clear about the priorities.  His silences were brilliant.”
19. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Comfort People And Serve Them Well – After landing, Captain Sullenberger and Officer Skiles went through the cabin handing out life vests, directing passengers and supervising the evacuation.
20. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Do Your Job – By safely landing the plane and ensuring everyone’s safety, Captain Sullenberger did his job as a pilot and captain.
21. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis You Must Be Willing To Make Great Personal Sacrifices – Captain Sullenberger was the last one off the plane.  He was the last one off the life rafts into a ferry.  He was the last one off the ferry.
22. To Successfully Lead Through Crisis Your People Must Survive Crisis – All 151 passengers and five crew members survived.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is an American hero.  I cannot wait for Hanks’ movie.  Until then, I recommend you purchase Langewiesche’s book and learn from this great leader by clicking HERE.

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