In today’s edition of the USA Today, writer Jenna Watson profiles Todd Ratzlaff, a pilot for TxJet. This organization is a subsidiary of the Indiana Donor Network. Their job is transporting lifesaving organs to donor recipients in Indiana. You can read the full story by clicking here.
As I read this article, I gleaned 10 Practices Of Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People:
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Must Always Be On Call – The article begins with Ratzlaff receiving an urgent phone call shortly after dinner when the family was settling in for the evening.
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Are Not Passive. They Respond Quickly. – The organization’s pilots usually receive calls only two hours before their needed departure. Ratzlaff says, “You get the phone call, no matter what you’re doing, you just drop it and go to the airport.”
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Are Prepared For Crisis – Ratzlaff adds, “I have babysitters on standby. I have a change of clothes in a locker in here with the shower in case I’m mowing the lawn.”
- It Is A Calling For Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People – He said, “There are people, I believe, that want to fly, and there are people that are born to fly. And I feel like I was born to fly. I just love it. There’s no better job.”
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Positioned Themselves To Do So – Ratzlaff served in the military for 21 years. He followed both his father and grandfather into service.
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Expanded Their Knowledge Base – In addition, Ratzlaff spent six non-flying years working in intelligence. He also did contract work for the military at home and abroad.
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Have Rewarding Lives Themselves – He pointed out, “To be able to come to work and know that you are saving somebody’s life every time you fly is very rewarding.”
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Have Previous Experience Doing So – While in Afghanistan, Ratzlaff and others saved the lives of a military convoy by preventing them from running over an improvised explosive device. He said, “That’s the most proud I’ve ever felt for a job, ever, and this is a pretty close second.”
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Need Funding – The Indiana Donor Network is one of the few organizations of its kind with its own private jets. Most organizations use charters.
- Leaders Who Save The Lives Of Other People Are Efficient – By having familiar pilots, medical teams, and aircraft, the Indiana Donor Network can respond quicker and have faster transport of the organs.
What is one thing you learned from Todd Ratzlaff’s work which will make you a better leader?
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