Integrity

We all Google something from time to time. Last night, before I was turning in, I found myself reading one subject to another. Funny how we can start off with searching for one subject then finishing with a completely unrelated subject. It always fascinates me how much our mind can process. Well last night was no different. I found myself reading about Navy Ships while I was watching American Pickers, I ended up reading about Bill Lear. Not sure how I got there, but he had a fascinating story.

If you have ever travelled through small airports or in a corporate aircraft, you have probably seen or flown in a Lear Jet. My dad took me on one when I was very young. They are small and fast. After my long travel to Dallas and back, it amazes me on how much time a Lear Jet can save when traveling, no wonder corporations use them.

Did you know that Bill Lear held more than 150 patents? The automatic pilot, car radio, even 8-track tapes. He started in the 50’s with his idea of a small corporate jet, it took several years to make his dream a reality and in 1963 he made his first maiden voyage on the first Lear Jet.

His success was immediate. But shortly after his start two jets crashed with no reason. He was devastated. He immediately grounded all Lear Jets. Can you imagine? Finding out what caused a problem with less than 2% of all the jets out there caused him to really jeopardize his aircraft. But he thought more lives being lost outweighed the adverse public reaction.

He could not find out on the ground what went wrong, so he had to try to recreate the circumstance. Yes, he did, he flew the jets until he nearly lost control like the other two pilots. But he made it through and found the defect. He corrected the problem and eliminated future danger.

I am sure grounding the planes cost him a lot of money and probably planted seeds of doubt in the minds of potential customers. But he never regretted his decision. He was willing to risk his success, his fortune and even his own life to solve the mystery of those 2 crashes, but not his integrity. And that takes character.

How do you deal with different circumstances? Do you choose your integrity over your success and fortune? Every path leads to a crossroads of character or compromise. Every time you choose character you become stronger, even if there are negative consequences such as Bill Lear and loosing potential customers.

Sherri Lynn Dunik

Plan with Attitude. Prepare with Aptitude. Participate with Servitude, Receive with Gratitude. And that should be enough to Separate you from the Multitudes.

Pilot International Leadership Coordinator

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