3/2/2016
Aerodynamic Leadership
Discovering Your Leadership Shape
Toby Edwards BS, CRA, RT(R)
Life is interaction
Everything living interacts
When something alive stops interacting
It ceases to be alive
From the largest
Macro-organism
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To the smallest
Micro-organism
Even life at the cellular level
Constantly interacts
Aerodynamic
Leadership
Discovering Your
Leadership Shape
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For a great synopsis of this topic check out my article at
HealthManagement.org
The science of aerodynamics
is the study of the resulting interaction between
an object and air.
OBJECT = Leaders
AIR = Members of your organization
So leaders who are aerodynamic possess a leadership shape that
minimizes disruptive interactions with their staff, and leaders who
have a counterdynamic shape produce choppy, chaotic
interactions with their staff.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic objects have
two characteristics
that counterdynamic do not 1. They have minimal “cross-sections”
meaning they are low to the ground and not very tall
2.
They have “thin” leading edges
meaning the edge that contacts the air is thin and narrow
http://www.simgrosys.com/computational-fluid-dynamics.html
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Streamline Flow vs. Turbulent Flow
Laminar (Streamline) Flow is
characterized by the movement of air
or fluid around an object in nearly
straight lines.
Turbulent Flow is characterized by the
movement of air or fluid around an
object resulting in choppy or chaotic
flow.
http://jyscience.wordpress.com/
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic
Objects
VS
Counterdynamic
Objects
Aerodynamic
Faster
Objects
ARE:
Able to
Travel
Farther
Aerodynamic
Objects
More
Stable
More
Efficient
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
Range:
Top Speed:
Unit Cost:
6,897 miles
628 mph
$737M
2013 Lotus E21 Formula One
Cost:
Speed:
about $9.4M
avg. 0-60 time of 1.9 seconds
Wally 118 Motor Yacht
Powerplant:
three gas turbine engines
Horsepower/Speed: 17,000 at 65 knots
Price:
$33M
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Oberto H1 Unlimited Hydroplane
Cost:
HP/Top Speed:
Engine:
Around $200K
Around 3000/About 190mph on water
Lycoming T-55 L-7 turbine engine
Counterdynamic
Objects
Unable to
Travel Far
Slower
Counterdynamic
Objects
Less
Stable
ARE:
Less
Efficient
Aerodynamic Leadership
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1982 Volvo Coupe
Increased wind resistance = Lower gas mileage
1960 Volkswagen Transporter
Large leading edge = Increased wind resistance
1960-1970 Tractor
Trailers
Incredibly large leading edge = even more increased
wind resistance.
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While the energy crisis raged in the early
1970’s, President Richard Nixon requested
.
the help of all federal agencies in coming up
with energy solutions to ease the crisis.
A NASA engineer named Daniel Lockney was
working on the future space shuttle and was
also an avid biker who had been frequently
jostled about by passing semi-trucks,
received President Nixon’s blessing to take
his team of NASA aerodynamics engineers to
Edwards Air Force Base to design a better,
more aerodynamic semi-truck.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/technology/1110/gallery.go
vernment_inventions/6.html
When his team completed their research, the
results were passed along to semi-truck
manufacturers. It is no accident that modern
day semi-trucks look more like an
aerodynamic space shuttle than a large shoe
box moving inefficiently down the highway.
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/pdf/AIAA-2010-8885-305.pdf
Aerodynamic Leadership
The Airflow BulletTruck
The BulletTruck has completely smooth contours – no hard edges.
Panels along the underside reduce drag caused by the wind colliding
with the tires.
In 2012 the BulletTruck made a
cross-country trek from
Connecticut to California. The
BulletTruck, with a full load,
achieved an amazing 13.4 mpg
compared with 4-6 mpg with
ordinary semi-trucks.
http://www.airflowtruck.com/Press_Releases.html
Aerodynamic Objects have “minimal”
cross-sections and “thin” leading edges
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Non-Aerodynamic objects have thick crosssections and wide, obstructive leading edges.
Aerodynamic vs. Counterdynamic
What is your
leadership
Shape?
Aerodynamic Leaders ARE:
Faster
More Efficient
More Stable
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Aerodynamic Leaders ARE:
Faster –
Aerodynamic Leaders accomplish tasks quicker.
Employees get very frustrated when tasks go untended to by their leaders. Employees want
movement on their problems, and fast answers to their unresolved questions.
More Efficient –
Aerodynamic Leaders work smarter.
Washing machines work hard. Working hard is rarely a prerequisite for success. Aerodynamic
Leaders position themselves to function from their strengths.
More Stable –
Aerodynamic Leaders understand the immense value
of consistency.
Above all other leadership traits, consistency is the key to leadership success. Employees
almost always know what great leaders will do next.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leaders Possess:
Minimal
Cross-Sections
Thin Leading Edges
Professional
Characteristics That
Create Streamline Flow
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leaders Possess:
Minimal Cross Sections –
Aerodynamic Leaders promote LIFT.
Airplane wings, by design, promote lift. Subsequently, Aerodynamic leaders, by design, seek
to elevate those on the journey with them.
Thin Leading Edges –
Aerodynamic Leaders do not have to be the center of
attention.
Their employees, like air across an aerodynamic shape, flow easily around them. Their
presence, while firm, promotes easy interactions.
Professional Characteristics that promote streamline flow –
Aerodynamic Leaders create smooth not chaotic flow.
Efficient leaders possess vision. Their decisions are well thought out, well-timed, and produce
a peaceable atmosphere. Calm assurance is the norm when an Aerodynamic Leader leads.
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Counterdynamic Leaders ARE:
Slower
Less Efficient
Less Stable
Aerodynamic Leadership
Counterdynamic Leaders ARE:
Slower –
Counterdynamic Leaders function at a pace that hinders confidence.
When tasks that normally take one day to complete start to take one week to complete staff
begin to lose confidence in their leader.
Less Efficient –
Counterdynamic Leaders focus on quantity of work instead of the
quality of work.
Being a results-oriented leader is a far harder task than working long hours. Being
responsible for outcomes is much more difficult than requiring constant activity.
Less Stable –
Counterdynamic Leaders prefer operational and administrative
prerogatives.
Executive privilege can be important to successful leadership, but only in rare occasions.
Staff need to see that their leader can follow his/her own rules as regularly as they are asked
to.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Counterdynamic Leaders Possess:
LARGE Cross-Sections
THICK Leading Edges
Professional Characteristics
That Create TURBULENT Flow
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Counterdynamic Leaders Possess:
LARGE Cross Sections –
Counterdynamic Leaders promote DRAG.
Their leadership style asks the question “What advantages can my title or authority offer
me?” instead of “What advantages can my title or authority offer my staff?”
THICK Leading Edges –
Counterdynamic Leaders need their employee’s attention.
Interactions with counterdynamic leaders are more focused on them than the employee, so
employees often tire quickly. It takes much more energy for an employee to approach you
than for you to approach them. It is beneficial to follow this idea.
Professional characteristics that promote turbulent flow –
Counterdynamic Leaders create choppy, chaotic flow.
Counterdynamic leaders rarely prepare. They often shoot from the hip. They try to use
charisma, the strength of their personality, their experience, what they’ve heard from other
leaders etc. to get from Point A to Point B. Without true preparation what could be great is
only marginally acceptable. Without clarity there is often chaos.
Aerodynamic Leadership
We now know what Aerodynamic Leaders
look like. How can we put these principles
into practical use?
Conveniently, Aerodynamic Leaders are metaphorically
similar to a wise and seasoned airline pilot.
Here are some Aerodynamic Leadership tips to assist
you with your organization.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #1
Your passengers (members of your organization) cannot
see what you see or hear what you hear.
Aerodynamic Leaders should remember that they are the only ones in their
organization with a direct view ahead. Because of the position of your passengers they
cannot see what is happening. Their vision is limited to the periphery while their primary
view is obstructed. This is very important to remember – Your people, who are your
customers, depend on you to compensate for their lack of vision.
Additionally, your team members will not hear what you hear either. When the tower
calls to re-direct your flight, your passengers are not privy to that conversation.
An aerodynamic leader will communicate just enough to bring understanding.
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #2
Be Informative Early
My mentor taught me many things, but he was fond of saying, “Delivery
is as important as content!” If your organization must climb to avoid a
storm or divert to a different destination due to mechanical issues, it is
best known earlier than later.
People are naturally controlling which means that they are especially
sensitive when they have no control. Your people need to feel that their
pilot is in control so that their personal lack of control is under control.
Communicating change with a good amount of lead time makes for a
more rational and prepared group of passengers.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #3
Be Economical in Your Speech
One of two things happens when someone uses too many
words, but does not arrive at a conclusion: the hearer tunes
them out or watches and waits for the speaker to crash and
burn. When a pilot cannot get to the point quickly it makes his
passengers very nervous.
Pilots who explain themselves confidently are respected – pilots
who explain themselves confidently and economically are
aerodynamic!
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #4
Know What Your Flight Attendants Know
Flight attendants are found among the passengers not locked
away in the cockpit, therefore they see what the pilot cannot.
Flight attendants can best describe the mood of the passengers,
see potential problems brewing, and are ideally positioned to
improve their passenger’s flight experience.
Aerodynamic Leaders know what their flight attendants know, and
as a result they know what is going on in their aircraft.
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #5
Avoid Actions That Hinder Your Aerodynamic Ability
An Aerodynamic Leader would never drop their flaps or landing
gear while traveling 500 mph at an altitude of 50,000 feet. It
would greatly disrupt the aerodynamic ability of the aircraft and
imperil the passengers, but inappropriate words or behaviors by a
leader effectively does the same thing.
Unfortunately, inappropriate actions of one in leadership almost
always adversely affects the many that they lead.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #6
Every Aspect of Leadership is a Customer Service Event
Aerodynamic Leaders understand that their every decision,
interaction, announcement, policy change, etc. is a customer
service event. Their work is about benefitting their employees and
the organization.
Aerodynamic Leaders avoid decisions that bring drag or resistance
to their flight except when those elements are necessary.
All things being equal – aerodynamic things use less energy, are
more efficient, and can move faster that things that are not.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #7
Know the “sound” and “feel” of your aircraft.
Every organization, like every aircraft, has it’s own unique identity that is
expressed in very different ways. I have managed Radiology departments
inside of large, research-driven academic medical centers to small, rural
community hospital departments and the two are vastly different. Forprofit, non-profit, physician-owned, specialty and surgical hospitals, and
public/county-owned facilities all create unique operational “sounds” and
each produces a different “feel”.
An aerodynamic leader knows the “sound” and “feel” of their aircraft, and
is therefore ready to take action when those dynamics change.
Aerodynamic Leadership
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Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #8
Manage with the full understanding that not ALL of
your passengers are going to enjoy their flight!
There was a time recently in my career that I managed a
department with the BEST employee and customer satisfaction
scores of any department in my hospital, but, at the same time, I
had most of my full time staff interviewed by HR because of one
formal complaint. The complaint was unsubstantiated, but it
changed the attitude and culture of my department for months.
I had one unhappy passenger – ONE. Never forget that an
unhappy passenger is really just an unhappy person who stepped
on YOUR plane!!
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #9
Stay Current Professionally!
Read professional journals, subscribe to daily industry emails, attend CE
seminars and really listen, go to industry shows because tech-driven fields
like ours change constantly. It is easy as administrators and managers to
focus more on the organizations we manage and less on the field we work
in, but this will serve to undermine and lessen your leadership value.
Staying current professionally, especially in regulatory affairs, will elevate
your standing in any organization you work in. Knowledge is power, and
to understand industry trends and to know which way your industry winds
are blowing, will cause your opinion to be sought after.
Aerodynamic Leadership
Aerodynamic Leadership Principle #10
ENJOY the view!
An airline pilot’s days, like the days of any administrator, are
filled with important responsibilities. Pre-flight checklists, postflight checklists, operational routines, navigation,
communications, inclement weather, and many, many other
things, so it is easy to forget to enjoy the view – DON’T!
One of the great privileges of being a leader is being able to
view the growth, development and satisfaction of your
employees from the vantage point of leadership!
Aerodynamic Leadership
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SO…..The real question you have to ask yourself is:
Which picture best
exemplifies my leadership
shape?
Aerodynamic Leadership
SO…..The real question you have to ask yourself is:
Is this what my leadership
decisions look like?
Or do my leadership
decisions look like this?
Aerodynamic Leadership
SO…..The real question you have to ask yourself is:
Do my employees perceive
me to be this type of
leadership vehicle?
Or this type of
leadership vehicle?
Aerodynamic Leadership
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SO…..The real question you have to ask yourself is:
Do my employee
satisfaction scores reflect
this kind of leadership
vehicle?
Or this type of
leadership vehicle?
Aerodynamic Leadership
Finally – What kind of leadership flow do I create?
Do my employees
seamlessly pass over my
leadership?
Or do they find choppy
chaos in my leadership
wake?
http://jyscience.wordpress.com/
Aerodynamic Leadership
Whatever your current leadership shape, you now
possess the knowledge to evaluate that shape and
improve the aerodynamics of it!
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Aerodynamic
Leadership
QUESTIONS?
Changing Your
Leadership Shape
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
CHICK/DAVID (2014) Breaker Breaker: Airflow Truck Company Pioneers Trucking Innovations [Online] Available from:
http://www.airflowtruck.com/Press_Releases.html
[Accessed: 18th June 2015]
GEORGE/PATRICK E. (2015) How Stuff Works [Online] Available from:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/aerodynamics.htm
[Accessed: 21st June 2015]
JYSCIENCE. (2012) Moving Through Fluid [Online] Available from:
https://jyscience.wordpress.com/
[Accessed: 22nd June 2015]
MONEY.CNN.COM. (2011) 7 Great Government-Backed Inventions [Online] Available from:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/technology/1110/gallery.government_inventions/6.html
[Accessed: 23rd June 2015]
NASA.COM (2013) What is Aerodynamics? [Online] Available from:
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/what-is-aerodynamics-k4.html#.VYmeQ3nbK70
[Accessed: 26th June 2015]
SYNONYM.COM. (2015) [Online] Available from:
http://www.synonym.com/antonyms/aerodynamic/
[Accessed: 18th June 2015]
THESAURUS.COM. (2015) [Online] Available from:
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/aerodynamic?s=t
[Accessed: 18th June 2015]
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