AFAP Professional Development
Leading Edge Group Workshops
Designed to bridge knowledge gaps and foster professional growth, the ongoing workshops provide practical advice and strategies from experienced aviators. This initiative aimed to ensure that pilots starting their professional journey have the tools and knowledge necessary for a healthy career in aviation.
The most recent workshop was held on 28th November 2024 with the topic ‘Saying No the Right Way.’ This workshop delved into the importance of assertive decision-making, particularly in scenarios where safety and operational integrity may require pilots to decline tasks or challenge decisions.
The common theme of the feedback from this workshop was a sense of confidence that saying no does not always have to be popular. Participants appreciated the tools and steps that were shared and felt they could implement instantly.
The ‘Saying No the Right Way’ workshop explored these critical aspects:
- Understanding Why Saying No is Hard: Pilots may face pressure to accommodate requests due to perceived or real job jeopardy, a desire to please, or organizational expectations. Recognizing these factors is the first step in overcoming them.
- Evaluating Outcomes: Participants were encouraged to consider both the worst-case and best-case scenarios of saying no. This reflection helps weigh the risks and benefits of their decisions.
- Having a Plan B: Preparing alternative solutions can ease the difficulty of saying no. For example, delaying a decision or exploring creative options may provide viable solutions without compromising safety.
- Handling Pressure from Management: Strategies are provided to help pilots assertively back their decisions, drawing on decision-making models, competencies, obligation to their licence and the Code of Ethics.
- Real-Life Examples: The workshop shares instances where saying no—or failing to say no—had significant consequences. Examples include transitioning from VMC into IMC, reporting safety occurrences, and other real examples transparently shared from the more experienced pilots hosting the event.
Practical Tools for Saying No
- Communication Skills: Effective delivery is critical. Pilots learned the importance of articulating their reasoning clearly and professionally, including clear conditions that may assist in reviewing their decision with updated information.
- Self-Awareness: Pilots are encouraged to assess their own limits, including fatigue levels, task difficulty, and personal capacity, to ensure decisions align with safety.
- Building Reputation: Saying no for the right reasons can enhance a pilot’s reputation for professionalism and safety, fostering respect in the long run.
- Consultation and Support: Seeking advice from more experienced colleagues or through mentor/coaching can provide additional perspectives and reinforce decision-making.
Additional Workshops in the Series
Other sessions in the ‘Leading Edge’ series earlier in 2024 included:
- Workshop 1: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude for CPL to First 5 Years
- Workshop 2: How to Use Professional Competencies and Behaviours in GA
- Workshop 3: Coping with Your First Scare
These workshops are open to all AFAP members, not limited to members of the National Pilot Council and pilots on the cadet pathway. Each session is designed to address key career milestones and challenges, offering practical insights to help pilots navigate their early years with confidence.
The response to the workshop series has encouraged the AFAP to plan to continue the concept into 2025. If you have any topic ideas or would like to give back and participate, please email technical@afap.org.au