Rick's Blog

Think like an Executive

Thinking like an executive can be considered one level up from analyst thinking or a follow-on to take you from analysis to action. It involves mental models focused on decision-making, the difference between leading and managing, and the fact that simple is not necessarily easy. Executives utilize tools for decision-making under uncertainty and in crisis, including compartmentalization, choosing how to fail, and embracing kindness grounded in strength.

I am currently in the initial brainstorming phase of a new project with a few collaborators. Our ultimate objective is to develop a comprehensive course focused on the mindset and tools utilized by executives, in combination with and on top of the Think like an Analyst project.

Think like an Analyst

To think like an analyst means using mental models to simplify complex problems, assessing risk versus reward, and processing information from various sources with different levels of reliability and bias. Key concepts include understanding how simple rules can result in complex behavior, thinking in probabilities, and the difference between risk and volatility. When evaluating information, it’s essential to consider factors like a source’s credibility, background, biases, and time horizons. Tools that help with this approach include red teaming, pre-mortem analysis, and the 5 Whys technique.

I am currently in the initial brainstorming phase of a new project with a few collaborators. Our ultimate objective is to develop a comprehensive course focused on the mindset and tools utilized by top analysts. The project will begin by introducing simple tools that anyone can use immediately to enhance their decision-making skills and become more discerning consumers of information.

What The Finance?!

A new project in the very early brainstorm phases:

The most straightforward possible explanations in finance for the most essential information, presented with empathy. No fluff, no unnecessary complexity.

Podcasts!

Audio podcasts are one of my favorite ways to learn and review… I’d love to see suggestions for any that I missed.

Airline & Career Focused

Aviation Careers Podcast

The Pilot Network

Airline Pilot Guy

Ready for Takeoff

Safety & CRM

The Human Factor by AIN

Plane Safety

Opposing Bases (Two air traffic controllers who are also experienced pilots share stories and experiences – great insight into ATC)

Training Focused

The Finer Points (I like it mostly for the educational topics, great review of just about everything you ought to know from GA flying)

IFR Flight Radio

Direct to by BoldMethod

CFI Podcast by mzeroa.com

Commercial Pilot Podcast by mzeroa.com

Instrument Pilot Podcast by mzeroa.com

General Aviation

AviatorCast

AOPA’s Hangar Talk

Stuck Mic

Thoughts from the Flight Deck

Pilot to Pilot

Mentoring / Professional Development

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow – You can sign-up as a mentor or mentee -the goal is to help people get their start in aviation as a career.

The Pilot Network – one of my buddies started this about a decade ago as a better alternative to the anonymous online forums. It’s a huge network now, and a great way to get info you can trust. Pretty good podcast and other resources too… Highly recommend!

Preflight Aviation Camp -PreFlight is a nonprofit, five-day aviation camp for preteen girls, ages 11-14, held at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, using aviation to transform girls’ beliefs about gender roles, increase their self-esteem and inspire them to become pilots. Super cool.

IFR Charts

Jeppesen Chart Clinic Webinars (Transitioning from FAA charts, or looking for a refresher? This should give you the basics you need to get through the Jepp question on an interview)

Jeppesen Chart Legend (excellent reference and nice to flip through occasionally to refresh yourself on some of the elements that we don’t use on a day to day basis)

Weather

From the first flight to the last, this is one of the most important areas of aviation knowledge.

Pre-Flight Resources:

Aviation Weather (I start with Prog Charts to get a big picture and work my way down into the details)

Training Resources:

Jeppesen Weather Clinic Confidential (a good intro or refresher)

Read about it:

Weather Flying (not just what the weather is doing / will do, but how a pilot should think about it and react)

FAR 117

One of the few things that was specifically called out to prepare for airline indoctrination training…

The FAR

ALPA’s training guide (Guidance developed by the Airline Pilots Association to help members interpret and understand the new rules – not updated)

FAR117understanding.com (Very detailed site with presentations explaining the regulation and flowcharts for applying the rules. Keeps up to date with new interpretations)

Why?

This is primarily a place for me to save my own notes on aviation topics. With any luck it’ll turn into something worthwhile for others as well.

Building Your Risk-Taking Muscles

Lots of people urge you to take risks, dream big, work for yourself… what exactly are they encouraging you to do?

Anyone can take entrepreneurial risks, in almost any situation. You don’t need to start a business, quit your job, or totally reorient your life.

When military officers advocate for change from within one of the world’s largest bureaucracies, photographers refuse to shoot a job the way that a client says they want it done, or pilots propose new operating rules that upset the establishment… we take entrepreneurial action.

How can we develop our entrepreneurial risk taking muscle while we keep our day jobs?

Read about entrepreneurial and divergent thinkers
Study and practice Red Team techniques (Don’t know what Red Teaming is? You should!)
Consciously think about group decisions and consider alternative approaches
Share new and different ideas with friends and colleagues
- Be ready to get shot down
Start something, on the side, and see where it takes you
Write. Publish. Repeat.
Speak in public (Mr. Money Mustache rates this as “ridiculously difficult” and I completely agree. It’s also one of the most valuable skills you can develop.)

There are a multitude of small risks that we can take every day, without betting our jobs or our family’s security. Every time we do, our risk-taking muscles get a little stronger…

Not everyone will decide to take big risks, and that’s ok. You should find a role that’s right for you… and building your risk taking muscles can help no matter what you choose to do.

How do you approach risk? Are you exercising your risk taking muscles, or letting them atrophy?