Please answer the following question by choosing either a) or b):
If you could choose between the two aviation team members to bring onto your team, which would it be?
a) The team member with the desired mindset* who lacks the complete skillset for the job; OR
b) The team member with the complete skillset* who lacks the desired mindset for the job?
*Mindset refers to an individual’s habitual mental attitude displaying characteristics such as curiosity, perseverance, determination, energy and drive.
*Skillset refers to the skills required to perform a specific task such as leadership skills, project management, financial skills, or technical knowledge.
When we ask this question in our workshops, over 90% of the respondents choose mindset. Is this surprising? Many aviation professionals feel that even though we are in a technically driven industry it is still much easier to train and teach those technical skills than it is to change an attitude. Mindset is something that is developed over time. If someone has the right mental attitude coupled with the desire to work, they can be trained to certain levels within the industry. Some of the best and hardest working team member/supervisors we have seen in this industry started at entry level jobs and worked their way up through the ranks. They are aware of what is required on the front line, and do not ask more of their subordinates than they ask of themselves.
