There are two aspects of assertiveness that we’ll touch on here – between the members of the crew (a CRM aspect) and when fulfilling your role as the final authority and decision maker in your role as the Captain of your flight (a Command aspect).
Crew Assertiveness (CRM)
From your point of view as the Captain in the realm of Crew Assertiveness there are two sides; your assertion of the authority invested in you as the Captain of the flight and Leader of your team, and the assertion of your crew members and followers, which may result from your (usually unintentional) deficiencies. It flows both ways and is an integral part of effective of CRM.
As the Captain you WILL make mistakes, errors of judgement, poor decisions or take inappropriate courses of action throughout your career in the Left Hand Seat. A good Captain will openly admit their mistake, but more importantly, generate an open team atmosphere to enable their followers to point out the error or mistake using advocacy, enquiry, questioning and where required assertion.
If you ever hear your First Officer say “Captain, you MUST listen to me!” (a common CRM last resort phrase) you must immediately recognise that you’ve allowed the situation to deteriorate such that your First Officer has perceived (rightly or wrongly) that you have backed them into a corner and this is a last resort to forcefully get your attention to resolve the situation. CRM and/or Error Recovery is required – immediately!
Captains have quite powerful authority to ensure that their flights are completed safely, legally and efficiently while completing the commercial task.
The secret is to use that authority judiciously and wisely to achieve your desired outcome safely and legally.
Sometimes your followers; cockpit or cabin crew, ATC, engineers, traffic staff or even dispatch or operational staff, will want you to undertake a course of action that you determine is unsafe or inappropriate. In these cases you may have to just say “NO!” and outline your alternative desired plan of action (communicate your intent using the necessary level of CRM).
Do not ever allow anyone to “force” you into a situation that you are uncomfortable or unsure about. The other party may be unhappy about your decision, but Command is not a popularity contest and you will be required to make tough decisions that you determine to be best for your particular situation.
During confusing, complex, ambiguous or novel situations you may have to exercise your power of Command by being decisive and assertive when required. This is absolutely essential in time critical situations – you cannot afford to waffle and be indecisive, uncertain or hesitant.
In these situations you need to be proactive rather than reactive. Being reactive reduces your available options and often places you into unavoidable, undesirable outcomes, not of your choosing. Being proactive allows you to decide, plan, have options and dictate the outcome.
Control events rather than be driven by them.
You, the Captain, are ultimately responsible for the safe and legal operation of your crew and the flight and you get to run the operation your way if required.
Assertion is not usually required in a well structured CRM team environment, but it is an essential Command skill for you to use when you require decisiveness to achieve your plan and outcome.
Use assertion wisely when required and if time permits explain your reasons, justification and rationale to your followers.
Crew Assertiveness (CRM)
From your point of view as the Captain in the realm of Crew Assertiveness there are two sides; your assertion of the authority invested in you as the Captain of the flight and Leader of your team, and the assertion of your crew members and followers, which may result from your (usually unintentional) deficiencies. It flows both ways and is an integral part of effective of CRM.
As the Captain you WILL make mistakes, errors of judgement, poor decisions or take inappropriate courses of action throughout your career in the Left Hand Seat. A good Captain will openly admit their mistake, but more importantly, generate an open team atmosphere to enable their followers to point out the error or mistake using advocacy, enquiry, questioning and where required assertion.
If you ever hear your First Officer say “Captain, you MUST listen to me!” (a common CRM last resort phrase) you must immediately recognise that you’ve allowed the situation to deteriorate such that your First Officer has perceived (rightly or wrongly) that you have backed them into a corner and this is a last resort to forcefully get your attention to resolve the situation. CRM and/or Error Recovery is required – immediately!
Pilots generally know when to speak up and to back up and support the Captain in decision making. A very authoritative Captain may tend to stifle crew assertiveness and a very passive Captain may cause excessively assertive behaviour on the part of the crew. A good balance is ideally attained by the Captain being authoritative enough to command the flight effectively, yet seeking inputs from the other crew members. (F/O Lucy Young, USAir)Command Assertiveness
Captains have quite powerful authority to ensure that their flights are completed safely, legally and efficiently while completing the commercial task.
The secret is to use that authority judiciously and wisely to achieve your desired outcome safely and legally.
Sometimes your followers; cockpit or cabin crew, ATC, engineers, traffic staff or even dispatch or operational staff, will want you to undertake a course of action that you determine is unsafe or inappropriate. In these cases you may have to just say “NO!” and outline your alternative desired plan of action (communicate your intent using the necessary level of CRM).
Do not ever allow anyone to “force” you into a situation that you are uncomfortable or unsure about. The other party may be unhappy about your decision, but Command is not a popularity contest and you will be required to make tough decisions that you determine to be best for your particular situation.
You will never really be a Captain until you can say “NO!” (Sal Fallucco)It might be a simple as requesting that the engineer explain again the ramifications of a complicated MEL item or requesting from ATC extra track miles or a holding pattern to gain extra time to complete emergency actions.
During confusing, complex, ambiguous or novel situations you may have to exercise your power of Command by being decisive and assertive when required. This is absolutely essential in time critical situations – you cannot afford to waffle and be indecisive, uncertain or hesitant.
In these situations you need to be proactive rather than reactive. Being reactive reduces your available options and often places you into unavoidable, undesirable outcomes, not of your choosing. Being proactive allows you to decide, plan, have options and dictate the outcome.
You, the Captain, are ultimately responsible for the safe and legal operation of your crew and the flight and you get to run the operation your way if required.
Assertion is not usually required in a well structured CRM team environment, but it is an essential Command skill for you to use when you require decisiveness to achieve your plan and outcome.
Use assertion wisely when required and if time permits explain your reasons, justification and rationale to your followers.
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