Reviewed by Norrie Sanders
Any new book on how to be a leader enters a crowded space. There are reputed to be more than 50,000 books on Amazon alone, with “Leadership” in the title. In recent years, self-publishing has added substantial numbers and diversity to the topic.
Former airline pilot, Chris Smith has taken the self-publishing route and offered a less familiar take on the genre. Drawing on anecdotes, adventures and mishaps from his career, he has compiled a book’s worth of leadership lessons.
Chris describes it as: An autobiographical leadership book, it chronicles my experiences both airborne and on the ground, people I’ve been so fortunate to have met and worked with, and most importantly, leadership and life lessons I’ve learned that work.
The book is divided into 5 parts, with headings like What kind of Leader do you want to be and So you want your crew to follow you? Here’s how. Each part has multiple chapters, mostly with instructional titles that provide tips, such as Start by keeping your feet on the ground and Change the world with this one lesson. In typical self-help-book-style, key messages are boxed for emphasis.
The short stories about things that go right (and wrong) in the air reflect Chris’ experience and offer insights into leading under pressure. For people just embarking on a leadership journey, and particularly one connected with aircraft, this book will provide some food for thought.
Chris Smith is a Brisbane-based leadership specialist, Senior Lecturer and aviation Counsellor. Leadership at 43000 Feet is his first book.
(February 2024)
by Chris Smith
Publish Central
ISBN: 978 192300 765 9
$39.95 (Paperback); 224pp