January 30 2023
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Almost an hour into an international flight, the airline turned around, likely upsetting all passengers aboard. According to a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson, a "rostering error" led to the airline not complying with its own training protocols requiring the captain to have a trainer status, a requirement that "exceeds industry standards." A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said, "Both pilots were suitably licensed and qualified to undertake the flight." To Virgin Atlantic, that wasn't good enough.
The return of the Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, for a crew change likely cost the airline significantly. But this demonstrated to the airline's employees there would not be a compromise to the dedication to exceeding aviation safety standards.
Core values are decision qualifiers. If decisions are not congruent with your values, they are situational values at best. When your leadership demonstrates dedication to safety by lowering other priorities, how well-known is that throughout the company? How newsworthy does it become?
"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." - Warren Buffet
"Tell me what you pay attention to and I will tell you who you are." - José Ortega y Gasset
"Values aren't buses… They're not supposed to get you anywhere. They're supposed to define who you are." - Jennifer Cruise
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
