Team captain vs airplane captain

In this discussion, we will explore whether there is any room for experimentation in an airplane cockpit at all. We will look at how much space creativity takes up for players on the basketball court during a game. We will be interested in what both captains can decide on their own and what requires the cooperation of their teams.

We will ask how bound they are by strict regulations in their professions and how flexible they can be in the procedures they choose. We will also discuss questions of trust and self-confidence together. Although these positions share the same title, we can expect very different leadership styles based on the nature of their roles. If you want to learn more, you are in the right place with us. 

What will you take away from the episode?

• How similarly or differently two captains—a captain of a large commercial airplane and a captain of a sports team—can motivate and lead their teams. 
• To what extent both captains can influence the strategy and tactics of their professions. 
• How important teamwork, relying on oneself, and on other team members are for both. 
• How crucial a leader’s personal integrity and ability to motivate by example are.

Who are the guests?

Pavel Pumprla

Pavel Pumprla is a long-time successful basketball representative of the Czech Republic and captain of the national team that succeeded at the World Championship in China in 2019. He started playing basketball at the age of nine in Olomouc and, through Opava and stints abroad in Spain, was for many years the captain of the best Czech club and regular participant in the European League from Nymburk. Pavel lives in Poděbrady, and besides basketball, he is involved in many other activities, often speaking as a motivational speaker on leadership and people development, and also produces his own successful podcast, Cesty vítězů.

David Hecl

David Hecl became a captain of a Boeing B737 commercial airplane in 2001 while flying for Czech Airlines. During his career at ČSA, he held the position of Quality Manager for flight crew training and later served as deputy chief pilot on the B737 and as a pilot instructor on the B737. In 2009, he joined Emirates Airline. Through flying Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, he eventually flew the Airbus A380, becoming captain on it again in 2015. After leaving Emirates in 2018, he flew worldwide as a captain on the Airbus A380 for Korean Air until the global flight operations shutdown. Aviation is a passion for him, so he spends time at airports even outside of “work” flying and enjoys cycling trips in nature.