There is a crucial moment in flight known as V1—often called the pilot’s point of no return. It’s the speed at which a plane must commit to takeoff. Beyond V1, even if a problem arises, aborting the mission becomes more dangerous than staying the course. Business leaders encounter their own V1 moments: inflection points where hesitation carries more risk than forward motion, and few decisions are reversible.
In a previous role, I spent extensive time working in the airshow/aviation industry. This exposure sparked a deep fascination and genuine respect for the demanding skill set required to be a pilot. I quickly realized how closely these qualities mirror those needed to succeed as a business leader. This parallel has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and problem solving. Just as a pilot must expertly manage countless real-time variables and make quick, informed decisions, so too must a leader/entrepreneur navigate the ever-changing and unexpected landscape of business with a calmness under pressure.