HR danger zone | 6 tips from a fighter pilot on reducing stress at work

Before becoming a leadership coach, Kim Campbell spent 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader in the US Air Force. She led more than 1,000 military and civilian personnel both at home and abroad. 

Over time, she began to realise that many of the lessons she learned in the cockpit had broad applicability to her role as a leader as well. 

Kim comments: “Fighter pilot culture is unique, we spend our lives working in a high-stakes environment, where we have to make split-second decisions to survive, and where training missions can be just as dangerous as actual combat. Because of this demanding environment, we have to be able to reduce stress where possible so we can achieve a high-level of performance, while also acknowledging that some level of stress can be a good thing. It’s a balancing act.” 

Ahead of physical illness, it’s still one of the most common reasons workers call in sick.