Second in Command Aviation Consulting

What’s the hardest part of leading a high-performing team? After 25 years in the cockpit, the boardroom, and now working with clients across aerospace and defense—I’ve seen one truth over and over again: It’s not technical expertise that limits leaders. It’s what happens in the people space. Vote by dropping a comment below. I’m building future content around this and would love to include your perspective. Whether you’re leading a flight crew, a capture team, or a sales org—this is where leadership really shows up. #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #HighPerformanceTeams #AerospaceLeadership #SecondInCommand #LeadershipDevelopment

Welcome aboard The Second in Command Copilot—a leadership newsletter for people navigating high-stakes missions in aerospace, defense, and beyond. Exceptional leadership is a learned skillset, not just a personality trait. In this first issue, I’m sharing the 9 critical skills I believe define the best leaders—skills I’ve had to grow, practice, and sometimes relearn across every phase of my career.

Global security constructs are as complex as ever. Second in Command aerospace and defense specialists can navigate the regulatory framework to keep you current on compliance and help you make informed decisions with confidence. Our comprehensive Military & Defense Market Assessment provides strategic insights, expert analysis and intelligence specific to your needs.  Marketing teams, private equity firms and venture capitalists find having a “Second in Command” invaluable for: ✈️ Market Intelligence on your provided topic, many times a new product or company evaluation targeted for M&A. ✈️ Data pulled from open source materials. ✈️ Interviews with targeted industry experts. ✈️ Information specifically developed to support your project. Contact us today to discuss your project: https://lnkd.in/eQ_zje8U #aviation #defensestrategy #militaryinsights #secondincommand

It’s that time of year! Once you’ve finished filling out your bracket, come on over to our Online Booking page. We’re running a promotion from now until the end of March for a FREE 1 hour coaching session with Marc! Use promo code MARCHMADNESS at checkout to claim! https://lnkd.in/e6kXGWKQ

What makes a good leader? Some people just seem to have "it" - that inexplicable quality that inspires others to follow them. Are exceptional leaders born this way, or have they been trained? Can leadership really be learned? You can't quite put your finger on "it" - but you know "it" when you see "it." In my latest blog post, read more on the 9 Critical Skills of Exceptional Leaders - my attempt to define "it." Good news...leadership is a set of skills that can be learned and perfected over time. #leadership #coaching #mastery

Whether your decision to own an aircraft is for freedom, flexibility or frequency of travel, you may find the purchase process overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be! We can help you understand the costs, set a budget, recommend several aircraft types, and represent you through the offer and negotiation process. 📩 Download our FREE white paper to learn more!: https://lnkd.in/edkm7G7s #aviation #aircraftownership #secondincommand

9 Critical Skills of Exceptional Leaders: #9 Integrity Today, we conclude this 9 part series on the Critical Skills of Exceptional Leaders with Integrity. It’s been saved for last intentionally because in the journey of leadership, integrity stands as the cornerstone of trust and respect. It’s the unwavering commitment to uphold moral and ethical principles, even when faced with adversity. As Thomas S. Monson wisely counseled, “May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” A recent, poignant example of integrity in leadership is the dismissal of General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown Jr. from his position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Brown, the second African American to hold this esteemed role, was known for his steadfast dedication to the mission and his unwavering commitment to put people first within the military. Whether you agree with his choice or not, he remained committed to his principles, exemplifying the essence of choosing the harder right. This event underscores a vital lesson for all leaders: standing up for what is right may come with sacrifice, but as the adage goes, “You’ll never regret doing the right thing.” Upholding integrity fosters a culture of trust and sets a powerful example for others to follow. By contrast, when you cave to pressure from peers or superiors, your organization takes note that its ok to compromise your values for personal, political, or company gain. Once you have compromised your integrity, it may take years to regain the trust and respect of the organization you lead - if you’re lucky. The journey towards integrity, starts with self- reflection. What are your personal values? What are the core beliefs that you cannot compromise under any circumstances? Does your organization or team you serve subscribe to these same beliefs? Only you can answer these questions, but the answers could define you for a lifetime. General Brown leaves behind a legacy of integrity, and the US Military will be better for him having taken a stand. As we conclude this series on the critical skills of exceptional leaders, let us remember that while skills can be developed, integrity is a choice—one that defines our character and legacy. To review the 9 skills are: #1 Listening #2 Team Building #3 Empathy #4 Courage #5 Delegation #6 Service #7 Gratitude #8 Communication #9 Integrity If you need help working on any of these skills or would like to further your leadership journey, I’d love to walk alongside you. Marc is the President & Founder of Second in Command Aviation Consulting. He is a former military pilot, sales executive for a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company, and a leadership coach.

Marc Ayala will be attending the NBAA Orlando Regional next Wednesday!

The 9 Critical Skills for Exceptional Leaders: #8 – #Communication Great leaders aren’t just experts in their field—they’re masters of communication. Whether they’re delivering a keynote, leading a team meeting, or having a one-on-one conversation, their ability to articulate ideas with clarity and confidence defines their impact. At the heart of great communication is #Executive Presence—the ability to command a room, inspire trust, and deliver a message that resonates. Exceptional leaders don’t just relay information; they connect with their audience. One of the most powerful ways they do this? #Storytelling. A well-told story transforms abstract concepts into relatable experiences. It draws people in, making even the most complex ideas easy to understand. Stories engage emotions, inspire action, and leave a lasting impression far beyond a slide deck of data. As a former military pilot, I often used my flying stories as metaphors for problems in the corporate world. But communication isn’t just about the big moments on stage. One-on-one conversations are just as critical. The best leaders know that a message that lands with one person might not resonate with another. That’s why they adapt their communication style—whether speaking with a frontline employee, an executive peer, or a customer. They adjust their tone, depth of detail, and approach based on the individual’s background, personality, and perspective. Being an exceptional communicator means more than just speaking well—it means being understood. It’s about clarity, connection, and adaptability. Mastering this skill separates good leaders from truly exceptional ones. If you’d like help in your leadership journey, or know someone who does - I’d love to walk along side you. Marc is President & Founder of Second in Command Aviation Consulting. He is a leadership coach, ex-military pilot, and former sales executive for a Fortune 500 aerospace company. #Leadership #Communication #ExecutivePresence #Storytelling #LeadershipDevelopment

The 9 Critical Skills of Exceptional Leaders – Part 7: Gratitude Great leaders don’t just push for results—they recognize and celebrate them. Gratitude is a force multiplier in leadership. It transforms culture, strengthens teams, and fuels motivation. Too often, leaders focus solely on the next challenge, the next milestone, the next goal. But exceptional leaders make it a priority to pause and appreciate the people who make success possible. They understand that recognition isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. One of the things I’ve always done, is hand write thank you cards and send them to people in the mail. In this era of infinite emails and text messages, a handwritten note communicates to the individual that they were worth a little extra time and effort. Here’s what gratitude in leadership looks like: ✅ Celebrating victories, big and small – Acknowledging wins keeps teams energized and engaged. Recognition isn’t just for the finish line; it’s for every step forward. ✅ Consistent appreciation – A one-time “thank you” is nice, but ongoing, genuine appreciation fosters long-term loyalty and commitment. ✅ Personalized recognition – Everyone values appreciation differently. Some prefer public praise, while others value a private word of encouragement. Exceptional leaders take the time to know what matters to their people. ✅ Leading by example – When leaders express gratitude, they set the tone for the entire organization, creating a culture where appreciation is the norm, not the exception. Gratitude isn’t just about making people feel good—it’s about building stronger, more resilient teams. When people feel valued, they invest more of themselves into their work. If you’d like help in your leadership journey, or know someone who does - I’d love to walk along side you. Marc is President & Founder of Second in Command Aviation Consulting. He is a leadership coach, ex-military pilot, and former sales executive for a Fortune 500 aerospace company. #Leadership #Gratitude #TeamSuccess #ExceptionalLeaders