My 3 principles as Aerospace Safety and Quality professional
Reflecting on nearly two decades in Safety and Quality, I offer key insights and career lessons learned along the way.
After 19 years dedicated to the Safety and Quality profession, I've found it incredibly rewarding.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the frustrations and unresolved issues we often encounter in such critical roles.
Especially in leadership positions, the intensity of these challenges can increase.
Despite the daily demands and business pressures, I've gathered some invaluable career lessons from my time in the aerospace industry that I'm eager to share with you today.
Here are 3 principles that have shaped my journey in this discipline:
Adhere to Safety and Quality Principles by:
Never Sacrificing Safety and Quality: Safety and quality must always come first. Compromising on these for speed or cost savings is simply not an option. Always protect your integrity and the safety of others.
Being Professional and Factual: Even in moments of disagreement and pressure, utilise your negotiation skills to convince others with well-founded arguments and solid data. Maintain calm, be respectful, and actively listen to feedback.
Believe in your role: Recognise the profound impact of your decisions on safety and success. Embrace your responsibility, inspire trust, and advocate for a culture of excellence and integrity within your team.
Commit to Professional Growth and Innovation by:
Using Recognised Tools: Whenever possible, use industry-recognised approaches and tools to ensure your work adheres to established standards and enhances credibility.
Staying Updated: The landscape of regulations is ever-changing. Staying informed is not just necessary for your role—it's essential for your continued professional development.
Embracing Innovation: The aerospace field, particularly with advancements in AI, is rapidly evolving. Don’t miss out on technologies that can significantly propel your career forward.
Investing in Training: Knowledge is your best defence against potential safety and quality breaches. Embrace continuous learning as a fundamental part of your career growth.
Empower Your Team and Manage Your Priorities Effectively by:
Growing Your Team: Enhance your team's skills and knowledge. A more capable team boosts your effectiveness and the overall success of your department.
Valuing Feedback: Insights from your supervisors, peers, and team are invaluable. Listen actively and use feedback to enhance safety and quality measures.
Managing Your Time and Priorities: Avoid the pitfalls of multitasking. Focus on what's truly important, learn to say no, and align closely with your organisational goals to ensure long-term success.
Planning Your Next Career Step: Don't wait for opportunities to find you; actively plan your future by assessing your goals, skills, and passions.
Does all this sound obvious?
Perhaps.
The good news?
I bring these lessons learned to my future roles and projects as they are equally important and transferable.
Thanks everyone that has supported me through this journey.
That's all for today, take care!
Until next week 👋
Disclaimer: The information provided in the newsletter and related resources is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice, and any actions taken based on the content are at the reader's discretion.