Time Out

  I'm in Montgomery, Alabama right now.  I'm spending a couple of months away from operational flying in order to work on my "leadership" skills.  What exactly is that rather esoteric set of skills that makes a good leader?  Well, I'm not sure I could tell you.  I could regurgitate a set of principles and qualities that scholars feel make the best leaders.  However, what I am seeing is that you can't really make a great leader.  I believe you can teach and form someone into a good leader.  But those truly great leaders are born not made.  Frankly, I would say I'm currently a relatively good leader in several realms so the things I'm expected to absorb such as how to care for people (yes, that's not obvious to everyone) and how to speak in public seem quite obvious.  This creeping curriculum has me somewhat frustrated because I am not getting to fly and I am very sure that those hard-won skills are atrophying daily.
  I am though getting so spend lots of time with my lovely wife and that makes up for it.  An even greater added bonus is that Sarah, Brian and little Cannon live about ten minutes away so we spend many evenings with them and that is a glorious thing.  It is so fun to tell them goodnight and know that we'll see them soon, not in months!