Business leadership in the aviation industry.

This article provides an overview of leadership in the aviation industry from a Business Psychology perspective. Business Psychology is an applied science that aims to enhance effectiveness of people and organisations in the business environment and uses social scientific research methods to collect data including questionnaires, surveys, focus groups, interviews and case studies. There are different leadership styles, namely autocratic, democratic, participative, or laissez-faire which impact on team performance. Leadership typically involves teamwork, and building relationships with the team. In the challenging aviation industry, leaders rely on their teams to carry out their individual and collective roles to meet tight deadlines and stringent aviation standards. Challenges encountered by team leaders can be internal (lack of motivation or commitment, conflict or leadership challenge) or external, such as lack of resources. Leadership power fosters vision, creativity, and change in an organisation and originates from personal sources, whereas management power originates from organisational structure and supports stability, order, and problem solving within an organisation. Leadership success is closely linked to the leader’s personal traits such as intelligence, value, and appearance. Leadership styles include autocratic and democratic, and employees are likely perform as highly whether or not in the presence of the leader and experience a rewarding feeling with the democratic style of leadership. The next generation of aviation leaders require a holistic approach that combines leadership, personal and standardised qualifications throughout the industry. Technical aviation skills must be supported by soft business-related skills including communication, adaptability and listening skills for effective leadership in the aviation sector. Finally, culturally mediated values systems act as guidelines for individuals, groups and companies and shape business leadership in aviation.