Management Skills Blog
Thinking, Talking, Doing
March 31, 2025“I’m a little disappointed with my team,” Jesse nodded, looking down. “And?” I asked. “We were in the meeting,… Read more →
People Problems
March 28, 2025“People problems,” Sebastian shook his head. “It’s always people problems.” I smiled. “Yes, you can think people… Read more →
The Fix
March 26, 2025“I understand our biggest machine has been off-line for a day and a half?” I asked. “Two days,” Camila replied.… Read more →
Outbound Air is the captivating tale of a regional airline acquired by an investment group. The story illustrates the adolescent pains of organizational growth as the new CEO takes one mis-step after another. Outbound Air's return from the brink of destruction is a vivid tale of how organizations work.
With lingering pangs of seller's remorse, Jim Dunbar felt, in the end, that he made the right decision to sell his company, Outbound Air. Everything Jim worked for, during the better part of three decades, was about to go sideways. He pushed open the door to the conference room and instantly became the center of attention. At the head of the table sat the new CEO, Al Ripley. On either side were minions of suits. Jim could smell the starch of white shirts in the room. Crisp, striped neckties reinforced the odor of formality. Al Ripley believed for every management problem, there was a management consultant. His purpose was always the same, cripple the adversary in front and drive them to their knees, even if the conquest was over a nickel in the company football pool. In this tale of deceit and corruption, Ripley creates systemic dysfunction that leaves Outbound Air to twist in the wind. Survival is optional.
About the Author
Tom Foster travels North America, working with CEOs and executive managers on the structure of their organizations. He has logged more than 15,000 direct service hours as an executive coach and conducted more than 400 workshops on managerial leadership practices. Outbound Air illustrates the organizational challenges that every company faces as it grows through the predictable pains of adolescence.