Pilot Relationships

1.Competitive Attitude. Pilots tend to be competitive and usually don’t work too well in teams. Again, this will get you in trouble in your relationship. As a couple, you can learn to be your partner’s safe harbor…us against the world. Being happy is better than being right.

2. Put Downs. Another form of disrespect is the need to put your partner down, to keep her in her place. This often comes from a fear of being overshadowed by your partner’s success. It shows up as teasing, name calling, or sarcasm. It also shows up by being overly pessimistic and attributing her success to luck or chance instead of effort and accomplishment.

3. Negativity. I have met some seriously grumpy pilots! And some seriously negative spouses/partners. Who wants to be with someone who is always looking for what is wrong, always critical, pessimistic? In the cockpit you have to be a critical thinker but at home it doesn’t work. I tell people in my office to “focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. Whatever you focus on grows. If you want more of what you are thinking about or talking about, keep it up. If you don’t, change your thoughts and words. Focus on what you want.” I know things are tough out there, but try to find a way not to bring the stress from the job home. I’ll be offering an online class on stress management soon.

4. Playing Games. Creating drama in a relationship is a diversion technique. Some couples go from crisis to crisis and avoid having to look at the core issues or solve problems in the relationship. This is the stick shaker or warning signal that as a couple, you need help. And remember, marriage counseling does not have to be reported at your medical. Just make sure your provider does not give you a diagnosis. Prior to your first counseling session, talk to your provider about your concerns with diagnosis.

I hope you will avoid these communication busters and improve your relationship. For specific help on Conflict Resolution Skills, you can check out my e-book.

No pilot wants to bust a check ride. By reviewing procedures, practicing, and refreshing your skills, you prepare for the test. The same strategies apply to having better communication with your spouse or partner. Learning new skills and practicing them are the key to successful pilot relationships. Try to avoid the following communication busters.

1. Jumping to Conclusions. A very effective personality trait of pilots is to assess a situation quickly and to take immediate action based on the assessment. This skill in the cockpit keeps everyone safe but it is not effective at home! It’s important to listen to what is being said and take time to understand . Check out what you think is being communicated by clarifying what your partner wants. There is a gender trait in this area as well. Women tend to jump to conclusions by assigning intent, by deciding what he really meant! “He said this…, but what he meant was….”, reading between the lines for hidden meaning. With my years of working with more men than women, I can safely say,”What you see, is what you get.” Men usually are not that complicated. If you are a female pilot, you have to watch out for the pilot traits and the gender traits.
2. Defensiveness. Defenses are natural and normal, neither right or wrong, good or bad. Defenses are used when you feel threatened; when your ideas, your wants, your needs feel under attack . However, when either partner is in a defensive mode, it is hard to communicate effectively. Pilots tend to use anger or humor as their main defenses. Remember, it is OK to disagree. You can learn to respect your partner’s opinion, even if you don’t agree. Research has shown that many marital arguments cannot be resolved because of fundamental differences in values, personality, or lifestyle. Your goal is to learn to honor your differences and let go of the need to be right. My husband quoted someone (we don’t remember who) when I was falling into this defensive trap, “Would you rather be happy or right?”
   
3. Aggressiveness. When the defense of anger turns to aggression, you are in a battle for control. The need to be in control is another important trait for a pilot - in the cockpit. But if you are bullying to get your way, or arguing for the sake of arguing at home, you are headed for a relationship crash. You need to learn to be assertive not aggressive. Being assertive is clearly stating your opinion or asking for what you want, then letting go of the result.
4. Disrespect. Verbal and non-verbal disrespect are sure signs of relationship disaster. When you use hurtful words, they can play over and over in your partner’s memory. Non-verbal disrespect like eye rolling, a disgusted tone, or any other signs of contempt actually are predictors of divorce. (John Gottman) Another form of disrespect is using a parental tone. This is guaranteed to result in less sex in the relationship. If you sound like a mother or a father, it pretty much kills the desire to mate.