The Future in Flight Podcast

Servant Leadership and Breaking Barriers in Aviation with Michelle Leon

Listen Later

🎧 Episode Summary

In this high-energy interview, Michelle Leon, Operations Manager at Levil Aviation, discusses the common thread that links her diverse career background: people. From her early days in hospitality and dentistry to leading operations in aviation and manufacturing, Michelle explains how the philosophy of servant leadership has guided her success.

We explore how Levil Aviation is disrupting the avionics market with affordable, safety-enhancing equipment and the specific strategies Michelle uses to build a paperless, highly efficient workplace. The conversation also tackles the critical need for workforce development and how early exposure to trades can change the trajectory of students' lives.

➡️ Be sure to check out our newest show sponsor: BULBag USA!

⭐ Key Points

  • Servant Leadership: Being in the trenches with your team and focusing on their growth leads to a more resilient culture.
  • The Appreciation Gap: Utilizing the 'Five Languages of Appreciation' to recognize employees in the way they actually want to be seen.
  • Women in STEM: Overcoming industry biases by maintaining credibility and leading with knowledge.
  • Early Exposure: The importance of introducing middle schoolers to CNC machining and robotics before they choose a career path.
  • NORSEE Approval: A breakdown of how the FAA allows safety-enhancing equipment to reach pilots faster.

    • 🕒 Chapter Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction and Michelle's diverse career journey

    00:54 - Servant leadership lessons from the dentistry world
    03:54 - Why workforce development energizes the team
    04:54 - Moving toward paperless and digital-first operations
    06:11 - Boosting morale through the Five Languages of Appreciation
    08:04 - Earning respect as a woman in aviation and manufacturing
    13:06 - Why middle school is the 'sweet spot' for trade exposure
    19:32 - Introducing Levil Connect: The future of data collection
    22:12 - Deep dive into the FAA's NORSEE approval process
    28:29 - Advice for building a professional network

    🔗 Links & Resources

    • Levil Aviation Official Website
    • Creative Relay Media
    • AviNation
    • BULBag USA

      • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      The Future in Flight PodcastBy Creative Relay Media