EPISODE 101 | Handling Crisis with Control, Leadership, and Communication
Watch Octavian Pantis' and Emil Dobrovolschi's interview on Human Amplified with Brandi Fleck.
Listen to Octavian Pantis and Captain Emil Dobrovolschi on Human Amplified
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About Octavian and Captain Emil’s Episode
Today we’re talking to entrepreneur, author, and public speaker, Octavian Pantis and his friend Captain Emil Dobrovolschi, who is a pilot, pilot instructor, and pilot examiner. They’re both based in Bucharest Romania in Europe. Octavian and Emil are co-authors of their book, Dark Cockpit.
In his spare time, Octavian loves to collect and study old maps.
Emil spends time with his family and rides his Harley Davidson all over Romania with his wife.
We start out by connecting these interests to their leadership approaches and how it’s all related to keeping a big picture view of life as a way to manage change, no matter how big or small.
This episode is for you if you’re looking for creative ways to have a smoother life, even in times of loss or post trauma. Octavian and Emil explain techniques in being prepared (or being in control, as these leaders would call it); leadership, whether in your personal or professional life; and excellent communication.
Not only do they explain how each area works to create more ease and peace of mind, but they give us personal stories and examples from aviation to help illustrate the points.
At most, you’ll walk away from this episode thinking about what leadership means to you and how you can leverage techniques used by pilots to handle crises that are coming up at this late point in the pandemic — whatever that may look like for you. Perhaps that means making better informed decisions or educating yourself in an area you feel unsure about. Or maybe, it looks like perspective shifts to find what’s working amid the change.
At least, if you’re afraid to fly, you’ll realize how many safety preparations go into keeping a flight smooth and perhaps gain some confidence in air travel.
It was such a pleasure talking to these genuinely kind, caring, and insightful guys. Enjoy!
Interview Highlights
Getting to know Octavian Pantis and Captain Emil Dobrovolschi, authors of book The Dark Cockpit
Octavian’s love of old geography maps and why they’re fascinating
Finding opportunities in change
Exploring “the Bird’s eye view”
Emil’s love of his kids, music, movies, and riding his Harley Davidson with his wife
How Octavian and Emil met and became fast friends
By design, what the captain does when an emergency occurs
In contrast, what the corporate boss does in an emergency
How The Dark Cockpit, a how-to book on leadership, communication, and control, came about
The importance of space and delegation in a crisis
Being in control
Being prepared by asking yourself “What if?”
How surrendering and vulnerability play in when you’re in a healing process
The importance of being a leader and how it’s possible for everyone to be a leader
Understanding that healing and recovery takes time
Don’t rush, because there’s always a lesson to reflect on and share, even in loss. You can move on when you’ve learned the value
Even in loss, identify the good that’s there
The Great Resignation
Best tips for excellent communication and the benefits of excellent communication
Listen to feedback (it doesn’t have to be personal)
Have a clear message and say it precisely
The benefits of excellent communication: a better life
More time
More resources
Better relationships
Where you can find Octavian Pantis and Captain Emil Dobrovolschi and a copy of their book, The Dark Cockpit
About Octavian Pantis
Octavian Pantis (Phonetic pronunciation: PUN-tish) is an entrepreneur, and the Co- Founder and Managing Partner of Qualians, an international training and consulting company, dedicated to helping organizations thrive while providing an environment where people grow professionally and are deeply engaged. Qualians was named several times “Training Company of the Year” and “Partner Country of the Year” in the international networks it is part of. Octavian is a bestselling author, with two books on productivity and work-life balance, as well as his dozens of articles and hundreds of trainings and speeches on the subject, which have brought clarity, motivation, tools and ideas to hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life. His expertise is sought after by entrepreneurs and executives at all levels. His speaking and consultant work includes workshops with senior management teams on subjects such as leadership, mindset change, and productivity. Octavian is a Professional Member of the USA National Speakers Association. Octavian spends his time outside work with his wife and three children. Whatever time remains is dedicated to skiing, squash, and studying and collecting old maps.
About Captain Emil Dobrovolschi
Captain Emil Dobrovolschi is a pilot, a pilot instructor, and a pilot examiner. He started at Tarom – Romanian Air Transport – in 1994 and has moved up through all the professional ranks: co-pilot on Antonov 24; captain and pilot instructor on ATR 42/72; captain, pilot instructor, and pilot examiner on Airbus A320 and A310; and test pilot and commander of the special flights for the Romanian President and government officials. In 2001, he became a Type Rating Instructor – codename for instructor of pilots – and since then the pilots he has trained have become captains for at least 12 airlines around the world. He is also a certified Type Rating Examiner by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), which gives him the authority to decide whether pilots continue to fly or are suspended from flying for a certain period. He has vast management experience, having served in different operational and corporate leadership positions inside Tarom, the most important being that of Vice President and Director of Flight Operations. Emil is an inspiring speaker, invited frequently to address corporate events of different sizes, where he inspires people to higher levels of commitment and professionalism and teaches valuable communication, leadership, and risk management principles. Emil is a passionate biker, riding with his wife all over Europe on their Harley Davidson as often as they can.
Links
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Pin Octavian’s and Captain Emil’s Transition Quotes for Inspiration
CREDITS: INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC AND EPISODE EDITING BY RYAN SAULS. EPISODE PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS BY BRANDI FLECK. SOUND EFFECTS FROM ZAPSPLAT.COM. MID-EPISODE MUSIC IS BY SHANE IVERS AT SILVERMAN SOUND STUDIOS. BIOS AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OCTAVIAN PANTIS AND CAPTAIN EMIL DOBROVOLSCHI.
About the Host
Brandi Fleck is a storyteller. She’s a writer, artist, recognized communications and interviewing expert, and a trauma-informed certified coach. She’s also an avid student of human nature who’s overcome past trauma and is founder of Human Amplified where she helps you embrace being your true self so you can more fully expand into your own humanity without the fear of being seen and heard. Brandi hosts the top-rated Human Amplified podcast (formerly the On Being Human Podcast). READ MORE
