Business Lessons from Capt Sullenberger by Guest Blogger, Adina Genn

In our youth-obsessed culture, an unlikely hero emerged: Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, the valiant pilot that safely ditched US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson. It was the ultimate touchdown. In a matter of days the captain scored nearly 305,000 Facebook fans. Rock star status, for sure.

But as tales of his heroism continue to unfold, one thing is obvious. Capt. Sullenberger’s masterful landing comes from 40-plus years of skill sets and experience – attributes that only come with years of experience. At a time when corporations large and small lay off mid to senior level execs, and when people in their fifties, sixties and above, work hard to disguise their age when hitting the job market so that they can continue to support their families, Capt. Sullenberger – graceful and confidence-inspiring in uniform and, yes, with his white hair – presents the best argument against ageism.

Companies today face scores of challenges: Navigating the rising costs of operations, tight credit markets, depreciating real estate and other investments, increasingly expensive health care coverage, to name just a few. At a time when businesses seek to cut costs, talent may be the first to go, especially those with more than a couple of years under their belt who command high salaries.

And yet, there’s the image of Capt. Sullenberger. Experienced, calm, reassuring. He was the last to get off the plane, after confirming there was no one left on board. In uncertain and even downright frightening times, it’s the steady hand of a skilled and practiced veteran righting the ship and ensuring his passengers’ safety that inspires faith and trust.

Lesson learned? Try to bring that poise to your own business world. Attain the help of someone who’s been around the block a couple of times, and you will likely build your own fan base among those who matter most to the survival of your organization: Your colleagues, partners, and customers.

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ADINA GENN is an award-winning journalist recognized with several press club awards for her news and feature work. She is the co-author of “Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald’s: The 7 Leadership Principles that Drive Break Out Success” (McGraw-Hill, https://mcdonaldsbook.mhprofessional.com/apps/ab/)
“So, You Want to Franchise Your Business” (Entrepreneur Press, https://www.entrepreneurpress.com/cgi-bin/books/00360.html) and “The Everything Fundraising Book” (Adams Media, https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Guide-Fundraising-Book-sponsorships/dp/1598698230/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232217154&sr=1-1). In April 2007, she was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Journalist of the Year.