Leadership in the Air

On January 15, 2009, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger made an emergency landing on New York’s Hudson River after US Airways Flight 1549 hit a flock of geese. It was dubbed the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and Sullenberger’s leadership and skill were credited with saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members onboard the plane. 

The new film Sully explores that dramatic episode in depth. Released in September, the movie stars Tom Hanks as Sullenberger. Back in 2010, Toastmaster magazine published an article about Sullenberger. Author Craig Harrison, DTM, PDG, interviewed the pilot about a range of leadership-related topics, including crisis communication and teamwork. In light of the new spotlight on Sullenberger, it’s worth reflecting on some of his comments from the December 2010 article.

Toastmasters have also weighed in on Sullenberger’s leadership qualities in the wake of the film’s release. In a LinkedIn discussion on the Official Toastmasters International Members Group page, Jean McAllister, DTM, of Blue Mountains, Canada, noted that when the pilot was hailed as a hero, “he gave credit to everyone who contributed to diverting the disaster. He was humble and thankful to his team.”