In this reflective clip from our Journey’s Series, Captain Michael Kwinga opens up about the critical transition from the cockpit to the boardroom and the valuable leadership lessons he's learned along the way. He shares how, like many technical professionals, he entered leadership roles without a full toolkit of soft skills. To bridge that gap, he pursued executive leadership training at Strathmore Business School and an MSc in Aviation Management in the UK both at the same time. The experience, though intense, deepened his understanding of strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Capt. Kwinga discusses the reality of managing teams, handling attrition, and applying structured learnings to real-world airline operations. He also reflects on key mentors in his life, including family members and aviation legends, who shaped his professional journey.