Captainitis, the phenomenon that occurs when subordinates do not speak up to “the person in charge”, can rear its ugly head in many ways. In February 1980, a United Airlines career second officer [based on his lower than desired level of pilot proficiency], became the first officer!  The captain, a friendly grandfather-type figure, did not challenge the decision when the first officer announced that he and the second officer would be changing positions.  Even though the cockpit recordings contained inferences of uncomfortableness, encouragement and helpful cues, the captain did not acknowledge the tension these officers were feeling.  Unfortunately, this story ends with a crash and no survivors. Both officers wanted to please the captain.  The original second officer [who became the first officer] wanted to please his ’superior’, and did not communicate his uneasiness in becoming (more…)

   Witness: Air New Zealand A320 ‘Turned Brutally Towards The Ground’ “It was flying straight, then it turned brutally towards the ground” What an unusual choice of words … “turned brutally towards the ground”.  You can visualize this aircraft turning and careening into the earth, very quickly, very out-of-control, very damaging. (more…)

I found an interesting article on Knowledge@Wharton’s website. It was actually a five-page book review. The book is called “It Starts With One: Changing Individuals Changes Organizations” by J. Stewart Black and Hal B. Gregersen. The authors asked “why do we fail to see the need for change?” Their research showed “Fundamentally, we fail to see because we are blinded by the light of what we already see.” We make assumptions on (more…)