welcome aboard!
In addition to earning USA National Best-Selling Author status, I'm someone who's spent a lot of time in the air, on the road, and navigating the fast-paced world of consulting, strategy and M&A. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few stories, had some laughs, and learned a thing or two about finding humor in the daily grind.
My book, How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes: Survival Guide for the Frequent Business Traveler, is a lighthearted look at the quirks and challenges that come with frequent travel. But it’s not just about funny travel stories—it’s about turning those experiences into lessons that can help you thrive in your career. Whether you’re dealing with the “Six Habits of Highly Annoying Travelers” or figuring out how to navigate the professional path for yourself or your business, there’s something here for everyone.
If you’re on your own journey or looking for guidance to help steer your business or organization, hopefully my words help a little. The lessons from my chapter in Leadership DNA, “Building the Airplane at 10,000 Feet,” also come in handy as you tackle projects and assemble teams metaphorically mid-air.
It’s been a lot of fun to write and relate air travel to our own development, and I think you’ll find it’s just as much fun to read. Here’s to making the most of wherever your travels—personal, professional, or organizational—may take you.
I was a weird toddler.
Most tikes my age enjoyed creating battlefields with GI Joes, conquering video games, or skipping across furniture to avoid “hot lava” on the floor. Me? Well, I collected airplanes the size of Matchbox cars. You know, the ones that specified the airline and aircraft type on each toy. I amassed fleets across all the airlines of the day, from yesteryear’s Braniff, TWA, Pan-Am, Continental and Eastern, to today’s Delta, American and United. I used Legos to construct airports and would orchestrate departures and arrivals based on my knowledge of where the airlines were based. Shockingly, this activity didn’t warrant me many repeat playdates.
