How Former Air Traffic Controller Turned Chief of Staff Learned to Manage Overwhelm

Jim went from coordinating aircraft in the Marines to managing complex operations as Chief of Staff at a startup. He shares how his experience in air traffic control taught him to stay calm under pressure—and how those lessons apply directly to fast-paced business environments.

Key Takeaways

  • Start With Humility: You won’t always be the expert, but you can lead by owning tasks, asking smart questions, and supporting others.

  • Act Fast, But Smart: Avoid analysis paralysis. A 70% solution now is often better than a perfect one too late.

  • Know What to Drop: Distinguish between "glass balls" that can’t be dropped and "rubber balls" that can bounce.

Notable Quotes

  1. “If you do the job right, no one notices. If you mess up, everyone does.”

  2. “You don’t need to be the expert—just the person who gets it done.”

  3. “Growth is uncomfortable. That’s how you know it’s working.”

Real-World Applications

  • Let experts lead, even if you’re the boss
    → In a product design meeting, instead of dictating changes, ask, “What’s your take?” This shows trust and often leads to better solutions.

  • Make fast, flexible decisions
    → If your project launch is blocked, propose a draft plan today. You can refine it as the team moves. Action beats delay.

  • Create learning opportunities
    → Have a junior team member shadow a senior on a high-stakes task. Jim flew engineers to the UK not just for output—but for growth.

Jim’s story shows that managing overwhelm isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being prepared, staying grounded, and letting others do what they’re great at. The key? Keep moving, stay humble, and always learn from the chaos.

 
 

00:55 The Analogy of Air Traffic Controller and Chief of Staff

01:41 The Invisible Impact of a Chief of Staff

02:13 The Challenges of Interdepartmental Clashes

03:48 The Role of a Chief of Staff in a Startup

06:01 The Importance of Humility and Flexibility in Leadership

10:48 The Role of a Chief of Staff in Facilitating Team Dynamics

13:38 The Challenge of Managing a Remote Team

14:12 The Importance of Trust in a Team

21:19 The Role of a Chief of Staff in Project Management

31:16 The Importance of Investing in Your Team

36:50 Key Takeaways

Jim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimterheyden

 

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.

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