The Aerospace Executive Podcast Craig Picken

Today’s workforce is teeming with high-level talent possessing a wealth of wisdom and decades of experience. Do leaders have the confidence and maturity to hire them? 
 
Young managers can learn a lot from the veteran players but only if they’re able to see past the age gap and manage the relationship maturely.
 
What are some of the insecurities leaders have around recruiting people with more experience, and how are they mitigated?
 
In this episode, Matt Johnson joins me to discuss why people with more experience and wisdom are such great recruits and the right way to do it. 

"Young managers fear that they need to have all the answers, but you don’t have to know everything. You just need to know how you get there through the perspective, wisdom, and experience of others." -Craig Picken
 
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 
 
-Why we have to approach hiring differently
The things that matter to employees today are vastly different from what mattered in the past. How do executives make sure their offering measures up to what they want? 
 
-The biggest barrier to hiring confidently
Young managers are afraid of not having the answers and this holds them back from dipping into an amazing talent pool. How can you overcome this fear? 
 
-How to establish a strong working relationship
Why is open dialogue such an important part of getting on the same page with a recruit, and setting the tone for a harmonious working relationship?
 
Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

In many organizations, the gap between the generations is a point of conflict and friction but it doesn’t have to be.
 
Sure, millennials/Gen-Z see work differently to their older coworkers and superiors, but there’s a lot of value in the perspectives each generation have, and that can make for a more resilient organization.
 
How do we facilitate better communication and collaboration between the generations?
 
In this episode, executive and transition coach and change strategist, Julie Noonan talks about how leaders can eliminate generational friction and create harmony in the workforce.
 
Get rid of as many stereotypes as possible because as soon as you put someone in a box, you’ve limited their ability to shine, and that’s for anyone across the board regardless of generation. -Julie Noonan
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 
 
-How the conversation around work changed
Did covid actually accelerate generational harmony in the workplace?
-Why younger employees aren’t interested in the corner office or titles
How has the younger generation redefined what the pinnacle of success looks like?
-The power of two-way mentorship
There are tremendous opportunities for both generations to learn from each other, how can companies facilitate it?
 
Guest Bio 
 
Julie is an executive and transition coach, change strategist and speaker helping mid- to late-career executive leaders successfully ride the waves of change. Julie has years of executive-level experience in consulting in both the private and public sectors, as well as years of experience as a corporate employee. She has spent her career coaching leaders at all levels in many industries and through many challenges – both professional and personal.
 
For more information, head to https://www.jnoonanconsulting.com/ and connect with her on LinkedIn.
 
Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Before the pandemic much of the industry ran on cruise control. Unfortunately, covid and the post-covid era exposed a lot of underlying weaknesses. From raw materials shortages to labor and production, everyone has a headache and there’s not enough aspirin to go around.
 
Before new solutions can be found the real challenge is stabilizing the processes we have now while also trying to make this an industry people will clamor to work in.
 
Although there is a flurry of activity within MRO, production and manufacturing need to bounce back and meet demand and the teething problems of LEAP and GTF engines need to be ironed out.
 
What are some of the moves that can be made to turnaround manufacturing? Is it high time for a new commercial airline program? What makes the jet engine business so great?
 
In this episode, Senior Aerospace/Defense and Airline analyst at Bloomberg Research, George Ferguson discusses what’s on the horizon for aviation, the challenges the industry is facing and possible profitable solutions.
 
We’re an aerospace nation. It’s a core industry we want to protect here in the US. -George Ferguson
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 
 
-Protecting American aerospace 
Aviation used to be an industry that attracted young talent, but now…not so much. How do we fix this urgent talent drain?
 
-The beauty of the engine business 
We’ve pushed jet engine technology as far as it can be pushed. What comes next?  
 
-Not all bad news for Boeing 
Is Boeing closer to being investable again than we think? Should they just consider building a new airplane entirely? 
 
Guest Bio
 
George Ferguson is a Senior Aerospace/Defense and Airline analyst and Research team leader at Bloomberg Intelligence, Bloomberg's research group. He’s experienced in portfolio management, equity and debt analysis. George is also a U.S. Army veteran, and served as an intelligence officer (S2) in Iraq during 2003. His education includes a B.A. in Economics from Penn State University, an MBA with a finance concentration from Rutgers Graduate School of Management. He’s also a CFA charterholder and a Private Pilot. Connect with him on LinkedIn. 
 
Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. 
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

The skilled American worker has the resourcefulness to create better opportunities for themselves, so they’re not going to tolerate being treated poorly, even if they’re employed by a mega industry player. 
 
What will it take for business owners to stand out to recruits at a time when the balance of power is rapidly shifting in favor of employees? What can we do to not only attract, but retain their interest, so they’re less likely to look elsewhere?
 
In this episode, we’re discussing how to become (and stay!) the top choice for top talent.
 
"If you come into negotiations from a power position, you’ll win every time." -Craig Picken
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 
 
-The key to keeping our teams enthusiastic
It’s one thing to recruit talent, but how do we keep them interested and invested? 
 
-How to build high-performing teams on a budget
Realistically, top talent are not likely to accept below-market compensation, so what does that mean for companies with smaller budgets? Is there a way to onboard talent without forking out a ton of cash?
 
-One thing to be mindful of when recruiting
If we’re continually going outside our organizations to find talent, rather than developing skills internally, what message are we sending to our employees?
 
Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. 
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

What separates the companies knocking it out of the ballpark and those running in place? Oftentimes it’s just simple communication.
 
Lack of achievement isn’t just a function of what people do, it’s what’s they don’t say…. But really need to!
 
The best leaders recognize the need for open communication and prioritize it, even when it’s uncomfortable.
 
Why is the distinction between a high-performance and high-achievement so important in our organizations? How do we become unconditionally powerful? How do we remove static from our communication lines?
 
In this episode, I’m joined by consultant, speaker, and author of Unconditional Power, Steven Gaffney. We talk about the secret to successful organizations and how to empower the people who work in them.
 
The word high-performing is old-hat and it often doesn’t speak to the times. I say high-achieving. -Craig Picken
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 
 
-Performance isn’t the problem, achieving is
We’re not paid to work hard, we’re paid to achieve results.
 
-Team first, position second
How do we pivot from focusing on our own role to thinking of the needs of the whole organization?
 
-Traits of the powerful
How do we go from powerless to unconditionally powerful?
 
Guest Bio
 
Steven Gaffney is a consultant, speaker, CEO of the Steven Gaffney Company, and author of Unconditional Power. He is the leading expert on creating Consistently High Achieving Organizations (CHAO)™ including high-achieving teams, honest communication, and change leadership. With almost 30 years of experience, Steven has become the go-to person and trusted advisor for countless top leaders and executive teams from Fortune 500 companies and associations, as well as the U.S. government and military. He is also a highly regarded author and sought-after speaker.
 
To get Steve’s free resources and 12 Essential Elements of a Consistently High-Achieving Team and The Fish Isn’t Sick the Water’s Dirty, go to https://justbehonest.com/ and mention this podcast in your contact. 

Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. 
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

During the pandemic, aviation was in a world of hurt and it took a long time to recover. Now that we’re out of that, everyone is making money…except Boeing and anyone tied to them.
 
If you’re a well-run company, executing at a high level, you’re benefiting from the industry bounce back. If you’re programmatically connected to Boeing - well, it’s complicated and will be for a while.
 
Is there any silver lining for Boeing, or can we expect trouble for the next decade? Are interest rates affecting aviation, or is the labor shortage still the most pressing concern? In this episode, M&A banker, Bill Alderman returns to share the state of the industry and it’s so bifurcated.
 
If you are programmatically tied to Boeing, this is a difficult time for you, and it’s got nothing to do with the industry. It’s that your customer has actual operating problems and that flows right down onto you. -Bill Alderman
 
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 

-The real problem 
Everyone’s talking about the impact of interest rates, but is the labor shortage the real issue? 
 
-Can Boeing get its act together
Why is Boeing having such a hard time while everyone else in the industry is experiencing incredible profitability? 
 
-Boeing’s fate
The market’s lost confidence in Boeing, are they due for an activist investor or total collapse? 
 
 
Guest Bio
 
William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company who are aerospace and defense M&A bankers. Bill has always had a passion for aviation, and is both a commercial pilot and aircraft owner. Today, he uses his expertise, coupled with his interests to represent Middle Market Sellers in the Aerospace and Defense industry. 
 
To find out more, go to:https://aldermanco.com/ 
 
You can also call or text him on: 
914.414.4070
 
Or email him at: 
wa@aldermanco.com 
 
Learn More About Your Host:
 
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. 
 
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.