1939, the world’s first scheduled transatlantic passenger flight takes off.

Happy Friday!

On this day, June 28, 1939, Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) inaugurated the world’s first transatlantic commercial passenger service, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. The flight, operated by the Boeing 314 Clipper “Yankee Clipper,” departed from Port Washington, New York, and landed in Marseille, France, after stops in Horta, Azores, and Lisbon, Portugal. This groundbreaking journey lasted approximately 29 hours and covered a distance of about 3,600 miles. The Boeing 314 Clipper was a marvel of engineering for its time. These flying boats were designed to carry up to 74 passengers in luxury accommodations, including sleeping berths, a dining salon, and even a men’s lounge. With a wingspan of 152 feet and powered by four 1,600 horsepower Wright Twin Cyclone engines, the Clipper could cruise at speeds of up to 188 mph and had a range of over 3,500 miles. Pan Am's transatlantic service came at a crucial time in history, just months before the outbreak of World War II. The airline's ability to establish this route not only demonstrated the advancing capabilities of long-distance air travel but also played a strategic role in maintaining communication and transportation links between the United States and Europe during the war years.

This historic event serves as a powerful reminder of human ingenuity, perseverance, and the transformative power of innovation on improving society. Leaders of change embrace a forward-thinking mindset and anticipate emerging customer needs to position their organisation for success. They drive the behaviours and a culture of innovation that encourages the pursuit of cutting-edge solutions and bold ideas. Change leaders foster a collaborative and adaptable workforce that can navigate challenges and pivot in response to evolving circumstances. They effectively communicate the vision and benefits of change to build stakeholder buy-in and commitment. Successful leaders of change demonstrate strategic thinking and a willingness to take calculated risks to drive transformative change that has a positive customer centric impact. The biggest benefit of this forward-thinking mindset is that it improves society for everyone. Change Leaders Embrace a Forward-Thinking Mindset.

“Leaders of change embrace a forward-thinking mindset, cultivating a culture of innovative, and collaborative change to anticipate needs, build buy-in, and drive transformative customer centric impact”

Change Charade Leaders Deliver Failed Change. Change initiatives represent a critical opportunity for organisational advancement and transformation. The organisation will invest capital, resources, effort, and time into an initiative that they expect will improve the organisation’s performance, realise the benefits, and obtain a return on investment (ROI). Unfortunately, these catalysts for progress, far too often, culminate in an elaborate charade and one that exacts a heavy toll on organisations. The costs of failed change management practices are staggering, manifesting in tangible financial losses, diminished morale, tarnished reputations, and an erosion of competitive edge. Throughout the change implementation process, the organisation and twelve key protagonists inadvertently create pitfalls that cause a web of unintended consequences that result in failure. However, organisations with superior leadership of change excellence stay ahead in the marketplace.

Final Thoughts: Does your senior leadership team have superior leadership of change excellence or are they involved in an absurd pretence, a change management charade, intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance of change. Are you supporting this?

Further Reading: Change Management Charade - Leadership of Change Volume 8

Have a fantastic weekend with the ones you love and care for, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, eat, drink and be happy.

Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change^®. He advises CEOs on how to prepare and align their corporate leadership teams to successfully lead their organisation's change.

For further reading please visit our websites: https://www.a2b.consulting  https://www.peterfgallagher.com Amazon.com: Peter F Gallagher: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Leadership of Change® Body of Knowledge Volumes: Change Management Body of Knowledge (CMBoK) Books: Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, A, B, & C available on both Amazon and Google Play:

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 1 - Change Management Fables

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 2 - Change Management Pocket Guide

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 3 - Change Management Handbook

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 4 - Change Management Leadership

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 5 - Change Management Adoption

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 6 - Change Management Behaviour

~ Leadership of Change® Volume 7 - Change Management Sponsorship

~ Leadership of Change® Volume A - Change Management Gamification - Leadership

~ Leadership of Change® Volume B - Change Management Gamification - Adoption

Coming Summer 2024: 

Change Management Charade - Leadership of Change Volume 8

By Peter F Gallagher

Keywords: Leadership, Change Management, Business Strategy