Aviation expert Philip Keil builds the bridge between the corporate and the aviation world.

The ex-pilot and today’s aviation and business expert Philip Keil gets things straight to the point. That is important in case of an emergency high above the clouds where seconds decide about life or death. In 2009, Philip Keil almost faced a crash. His crew and himself barely managed to save the plane from a total crash. Ever since, he knows what it means to stick to certain rules which help to function in crisis situations.

Philip Keil – Taking responsibility for the problem and making decisions

“If human error had been involved in plane crashes in the past, it was not because the pilots could not fly. Instead, it was discovered that the soft skills were responsible for the crash, “says Keil, who takes his listeners directly on a journey above the clouds. He speaks of certain key competences that are tought in aviation. For example, to take responsibility for the problem and to make decisions as well as to communicate clearly and to openly deal with mistakes.

He explains that there are certain strategies used by the NASA. Certain  behaviors are trained to be able to keep a clear mind in difficult situations.

Philip Keil and the FORDEC model

The so-called FORDEC model, for example, is a mental checklist in which each letter stands for a question that is dealt with immediately. What works in aviation also works in business:

Facts: What are the facts? What is the situation? Are all facts known?

Options: Which options arise from this situation?

Risks and Benefits: Which risks and which advantages or opportunities arise from the situation? He explains: “The comparison of risks and opportunities is important because in everyday life we ​​too often overestimate the risks.”

Decision: Which decision, based on the facts, options and risks and benefits is the best to take? “In everyday life, we sometimes make the mistake of doubting our decisions just made and thinking about whether we should do it better,” says Keil. Therefore it is important not to doubt the decision once it is taken.

Execution: which concrete steps and measures need to be taken based on the decision?

Check: Is the direction still correct looking at external, uncontrollable factors such as the weather?

If such models are applied by teams in a business context, they can help to save a lot of time usually spend with discussing and arguing.

Philip Keils’ core topics are motivation and success, rhetoric and communication as well as change management.

Contact us under: philip-keil@premium-speakers.com