NAV Canada’s Safety Chief on Curiosity, Leadership, and Learning from Mistakes - Anthony McKay - #14

The best leaders in aviation aren’t necessarily the ones with all the answers. They’re the ones who stay curious enough to hear what others see. In this episode, Anthony McKay, Vice President and Chief Safety and Quality Officer at NAV Canada, shares hard-won lessons on leading, learning, and making better decisions under pressure. After decades on the flight deck and in senior aviation leadership including leading air traffic services across NAV Canada’s seven flight information regions Anthony has seen how curiosity can turn disagreement into progress. He and host Kyle explore what to do when someone challenges your idea, why asking questions is more effective than defending your position, and how to stay accountable when you get it wrong. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: • Why curiosity matters more than having the title or authority • How to pause and respond instead of reacting defensively • Why listening to other perspectives can strengthen decisions and safety • How owning mistakes builds trust • The role of self-awareness and intention in effective leadership • How captains and instructors can help develop the next generation of leaders Anthony shares stories from his career, including a lesson from his early days as a pilot that stayed with him and the mentors who taught him to slow down and bring people along. This episode connects aviation safety, crew resource management, and practical leadership skills that apply well beyond the cockpit.