Sacred Ground: Walking the Path of Potential

I recently spoke at an annual safety stand down, held by an aeromedical evacuation company on the anniversary of a tragic fatal mishap they experienced a few years back. I opened by thanking them for allowing me and the other speakers to tread on the hallowed ground of remembrance, and I honored the group for their recommitment to safe operations. But, after I had burned the required incense at the altar of the fallen, I turned to my real subject. The true sacred ground, I argued, is not in the past. Rather, it is the ground that we stand on today, the path between who we are and who we could become: the path of potential.

Why is it, I wondered, that so many of us never achieve our full potential? Why are we not as prepared for the inevitable opportunities and challenges more inherent in our industry than in any other? Why do so many of us settle for the status quo? Are we, as individual professionals, being shaped by corporate cultures of malaise and indifference; or are we, in fact, the creators of those cultures?

These questions are every bit as important as other high priority issues in our industry, such as safety management systems and technological advances. I maintain that the greatest untapped resource in our industry today is the gap between our current level of performance and our level of capability.

Of course, if I knew the answers to these questions, I would be a heavy hitter on the motivational speakers circuit and dining in five-star restaurants, instead of laboring to write books and grabbing late night grub from the nearest fast food joint. But three decades of chasing these elusive questions has brought a few observations to the forefront.

The first relates to the critical roles of passion and curiosity. I know it’s not cool to be a starry-eyed dreamer in today’s world; but remember, our industry was founded by starry-eyed dreamers like the Wrights, Sikorsky, Bleriot, Curtiss, Doolittle, Lindbergh and Earhart. They dreamed of new horizons and cared enough to pursue them. Without their passion and curiosity would we even have an industry in which to work? If we could talk to their ghosts, what would they have to say about the malaise and negativity that has infected their birth child?

The second key insight I have witnessed in self-made high achievers is that they view their talent differently. Those who stagnate view talent as something that must be demonstrated to others, to prove they can meet standards and have what it takes. Those who climb the highest view their talent as something that must be continuously developed, no matter what their current level of proficiency or who is watching. Those who will come closest to reaching their full potential see their ability as the result of endless self-critique and constant effort – and they enjoy it. Those who believe they are already good enough always seem to find a way to measure themselves against lesser talented peers. You can see the difference clearly when observing yourself or others. Some people want to show off and others just want to get better. Ironically, it is the latter group that ultimately earns the greater respect of his or her peers.

When it comes to honoring the sacred ground that is your path to full potential, there is little value in dwelling too long on the past, worrying too much about the future, or measuring yourself against anything other than your best. Performance lives in the present and is measured in small clicks of the progress wheel. Those who bring passion to their work, look for new ways to improve, and who take responsibility for their own improvement will own the future of our industry.

In closing, remember that excellence is a life skill first, and a job skill second; so practice precision in everything you do.

(Note: This article is modified from Dr. Kern’s “Focal Points” column in Canadian Skies magazine Jan/Feb 2013 and used with permission.)