What makes a great leader? For Joe Byrne, it starts with trust, empathy, and putting your team first.

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, Nick Elder sits down with Joe Byrne, an aviation leader with more than two decades of experience. Joe’s career started when he joined the United States Navy at 17 and became a structural mechanic. He later continued his aviation career and moved into the world of in-flight internet connectivity and customer support.

Joe shares how taking on jobs outside his comfort zone helped shape his career. One of those opportunities was building a training program from the ground up. What started as a one-person effort grew into a global training team supporting aviation professionals with product installation, maintenance, systems operations, and technology.

But Joe says knowing the technical side of the job was only part of becoming a successful leader. Learning how to lead people was the bigger challenge.

Joe explains why servant leadership, compassion, and empathy have become central to the way he leads. He believes leaders need to build trust with their teams and give people the tools they need to succeed.

One of Joe’s biggest lessons is simple: lead through your team, not around your team.

Nick and Joe also discuss how leaders can communicate a company’s vision in a way their teams understand, why transparency matters during times of change, and how Joe has helped his team navigate a major company merger.

Joe also shares why leaders must stay open to change, keep learning, and become comfortable taking on challenges outside their normal roles.

If you are a new leader, want to become a better leader, or are helping a team through change, this conversation offers practical lessons you can use.