Sometimes an outsider's question shows you something you haven't considered at all

If you had to introduce yourself beyond the title "pilot," how would you describe yourself?

Father of two, a person with quite a bit of energy and a constant need to do something. I love order and organization, after all, I have spent most of my life in Germany, I have high expectations of myself, sometimes even of those around me. And my professional path is a fulfilled childhood dream. As a child, I wanted to fly, and that desire has never left me.

How did your story with aviation begin?

I can't point to a single moment when I decided. Since I was very young, I dreamed of flying. It was simply what I wanted to do. Of course, back then I had no idea how much studying and work lay behind it. Even today, I sometimes think about how wonderful it is that I am doing exactly what I dreamed of.

What are the most important lessons from the cockpit?

Not to assume that I am right just because I have more experience or because I am the captain. I might miss something, and a colleague might notice it. But for them to tell me, they need to know that I will listen. This has significantly changed my understanding of leadership.

How does a pilot prepare to make decisions in difficult situations?

With a lot of training. In the simulator, we practice situations that we hope never to encounter in flight. We discuss our decisions, revisit mistakes. This builds confidence, but also respect for what can happen. Self-confidence alone is not enough, and sometimes it can even be very dangerous.

How do you maintain clarity of thought under pressure?

It helps me to organize things: what we need to do now and what can wait. When you're under pressure, it's easy to start juggling everything at once. And sometimes you have more time than you think. We often use checklists and mental maps to structure our actions. This is extremely useful, and I believe it should be used in every profession.

What is the role of trust, communication, and teamwork?

I want the person next to me to be able to say: "Mario, I think you're wrong." And for me to actually hear it. It's easy to declare that you are open to other opinions. The real test is how you react when someone challenges your decision. People remember that reaction, and next time they either act or, in the worst case, do not act appropriately.

How do you act when there is no perfect solution?

I accept that there may not be a solution without drawbacks. We assess the risk, choose a feasible solution, and monitor how the situation develops. It is important to me to leave room for change. If new information shows that we need to change the plan, we will change it. Even if the initial idea was mine.

How did the idea for joint training with Veselin Nikolov come about?

Veselin and I have met at various events, and I have always admired his experience, especially in negotiations. We had long talked about how nice it would be to do training together. Gradually, we started preparing it, and now we are finally realizing it. For both of us, this is something we have been considering for a long time.

How do your professional perspectives complement each other?

Together we have over 50 years of experience in aviation and business. I will share how we work in the cockpit, while Veselin will bring his experience from negotiations and working with leaders. I am personally interested in where we see things the same and where we differ. I believe this will be valuable for the participants.

What do you want participants to start doing differently?

To better notice their own habits. Whether they rush to decide, whether they postpone the unpleasant conversation, whether they only listen to people who agree with them. We all have such moments. I would be happy if everyone leaves with something specific they want to change in their work.

What will the practical work look like?

There will be aviation case studies, exercises, and time for discussion. Participants will be able to step into the role of the captain. We will compare decisions and talk about why we chose them. Sometimes an outsider's question shows you something you haven't considered at all. We will work on prioritizing, risk assessment, and involving the team in the decision.

Who is the workshop for and what would you say to people who are hesitant?

For people who lead teams and are responsible for their decisions. I know how hard it is to free up a whole day. However, in daily life, there is rarely time to stop and look at how you work yourself. Veselin and I are preparing exactly such an opportunity, with a lot of practice and open conversation. We would be happy to meet.