#0031: Patti Wilson on getting things done, decompressing + getting off the path to nowhere positive as an Air Traffic Controller

Back in April, the idea for this podcast came to me while I was plunked at the airport. I was wondering about what some of the most stressful jobs for women were. Bam! I immediately thought of air traffic controllers. Enter Patti Wilson, who has been in the air traffic control industry for the past 29 years. She’s the Operations Manager at Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control, and is currently in her second term as President of Professional Women Controllers. If that wasn’t enough, she’s also very involved in nonprofit work with Zonta International. She’s also a pistol deeply committed to pulling up a seat for more women at the aviation table. Patti brings both a breadth and depth of experience and wisdom to our conversation. She paints a picture of what being an air traffic controller is like (the good, the stressful and the invisible to us non-controller folks). She also talks about the difference between communication at work versus everyday conversations (like the risk of talking to people in bullet points and commands outside of work). We also cover staying humble, handling stress, and giving/receiving feedback.You’re now cleared for listening takeoff. So, go ahead and switch to listening to this podcast on your favorite smartphone or listening device.Selected link love + resources from the episodeConnect with Patti on social media: FacebookProfessional Women Controllers, Inc. | On FacebookZonta InternationalFederal Aviation AdministrationUnited States Air ForceStrengthsFinder 2.0Kickass Theme Music: “Things Are Getting Better” Written by Rishi Dhir. Performed by The High Dials.Stay in the loop about future Le vital corps Salon episodes or with Kara: Twitter | Instagram | The List (sent monthly-ish including helpful health + lifestyle information) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.