Leadership and Positivity: A Lesson from an Airport Experience

Context: Family Trip to Maine

• Flying from Jacksonville, connecting in Philadelphia
• Delayed by 1.5 hours, landed in Terminal A, departing from Terminal F
• Needed to catch a bus shuttle at C16 to reach Terminal F
• Only had 10 minutes to make the connecting flight

Challenge: Rushing Through the Airport

• Began running through the airport with wife and kids (aged 8 and 10)
• Encouragement to cheer on people running at airports
• Personal anecdote: Cheering people on at LaGuardia and other airports

Reality Check: Facing Obstacles

• Reached C16 just as the last bus left, waited 4 minutes for the next
• Kids began to cry, fearing they wouldn't make it
• Emphasis on staying positive and believing they would make it
• Conversation with airport staff who doubted their chances

The Sprint to Terminal F

• Bus arrives, rushed to the last gate at Terminal F
• Just missed boarding, door closed in their face
• Plead with gate staff but initially denied

Unexpected Help: Pilots Intervene

• Saw the plane pushing back, noticed pilots could see them
• Family waved to pilots, door reopened for them to board
• Plane stopped, they boarded, despite displeased passengers
• Luggage also made it despite time constraints

Teachable Moment: Keep Running

• While driving to their destination, reflected on the experience
• Asked kids what they learned; 8-year-old responded with "keep running"
• Realized this was a key lesson in leadership and success

Leadership Insights

• Stay Positive: Maintain an optimistic and believing attitude
• Keep Running: Persistence in the face of obstacles
• Impact on Team: A leader's positive energy influences the entire team
• Overcoming Negativity: Positive energy must outweigh the negativity encountered
• Certainty and Faith: Belief in one's mission and making a difference must surpass any doubts

Conclusion

• Leadership is akin to running through an airport: stay positive, keep going, and never give up.