The Unexpected Leader at 30,000 Feet

Author

Ed Clementi
April 07, 2025

This past weekend, I found myself flying cross-country, which meant a handful of flights and plenty of time to reflect. There’s something about being suspended above the clouds that invites observation and thought. Flights, for the most part, are routine experiences. A few announcements, a snack, maybe some turbulence, and we land. But every so often, something cuts through the monotony and grabs your attention.

On one of these flights, that something—or rather, someone—did just that.

The Flight Attendant Who Lit Up the Cabin

A flight attendant with unmistakable energy transformed an ordinary trip into an experience. From the moment he stepped into the aisle, there was an undeniable spark about him. As the pre-flight announcements crackled over the speaker, he stood front and center and lip-synched every word with flair, animation, and a smile. At first, passengers stared in mild confusion, but soon, smiles began to spread. Chuckles turned into full laughter. And when he finished, he took a playful bow, prompting spontaneous applause.

The energy shifted in an instant. Even his fellow crew members, initially reserved, found themselves smiling more, moving with a lighter step. He didn’t stop there. Throughout the flight, he engaged with every passenger in his section as if they were the most important person on board. He asked thoughtful questions, responded with genuine interest, and made each interaction count.

It was contagious.

More Than "Fine": The Power of Choosing Excellence

Here’s what struck me: the other flights that weekend were fine. Professional. Efficient. But they were just that—fine. Nothing wrong, nothing memorable. This flight, however, became an experience because one person made the deliberate choice to show up differently. To bring his personality, his energy, and his excellence to the role, regardless of the circumstances.

That’s leadership. Right there in the aisle of a plane at 30,000 feet.

The Choice We All Face

It got me thinking about the choices we all face every single day. When we rise from our beds and plant our feet on the floor, we step into the world with an opportunity: to show up with intention, or to let circumstances dictate our presence.

We might dislike aspects of our job. We might feel tension with our boss. We might be battling personal storms invisible to others. But here’s the truth: those feelings, if left unchecked, seep into our actions. We may believe we’re simply enduring the day, but in reality, we are broadcasting our internal state outward. We represent ourselves, consciously or not.

No one else carries our context. They only feel our energy.

So, when you meet the world with frustration, indifference, or resignation, that becomes you in their eyes. Not your circumstances. Not your challenges. You. And that’s a harsh but liberating truth.

Because if that’s the case, we also hold the power to flip the script. To decide that, no matter what, we will bring the best of ourselves forward. Easier said than done, I know. But it starts with simple, conscious choices.

Three Simple Ways to Elevate Your Energy

1. Set Your Intention Before You Step Out
Take a moment in the morning. Pause. Ask yourself: How do I want to show up today? Not what tasks need doing, not what pressures await. Focus on your presence, your energy.

2. Find Joy in the Small Things
Just like the flight attendant, who turned mundane announcements into moments of delight, seek out tiny opportunities to elevate the ordinary. A warm greeting. A small act of kindness. These moments compound.

3. Remember: Your Energy Is Contagious
Whether you realize it or not, your mood ripples outward. People catch it. Lead with positive intent, and you create an environment where others are inspired to do the same.

A Final Word From the Sky

Viktor Frankl once said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

That wisdom was on full display during that flight. The flight attendant, on an otherwise routine journey, created a memorable experience simply by choosing how he showed up. He didn’t just perform tasks; he brought them to life. He didn’t just do a job; he delivered an experience.

I don’t know his personal aspirations. I don’t know his full story. But my gut tells me this: with that attitude, with that choice to bring excellence and joy into the world, he will go far.

Because the world meets us at the level of our energy. Today, choose to show up as who you truly want to be. Bring that energy into your day, and watch how the world responds. You might just turn an ordinary moment into something unforgettable.

And that, my friends, is leadership on full display—even at 30,000 feet.

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

Make an Impact.  Feel an Impact.