Chapter 16
Sofia was going through her atypical preflight announcements, “ginned up,” as Buddy called it, by humor. “If you don't like the flight attendants or our humor, there are six ways off of this plane,” as they pointed to the exits. She continued, “If you're traveling with more than one child, what on earth were you thinking?” And then she got to a line that still made Buddy smile: “If the oxygen mask pops out, secure your mask first and then decide which child has the most potential.”
Buddy had read that a passenger had complained to the CEO of the airline about the jokes made during the FAA‐regulated instructions. The passenger thought the safety announcements were “too serious an issue to joke about.” The CEO, as the story went, wrote back a simple, four word note: “We will miss you.”
This airline was going to stay true to their core value of having fun, regardless of passenger complaints. The CEO didn't even offer the passenger a free drink coupon to give the airline another try. They would be the same airline regardless of whether or not this passenger returned. Buddy knew that knowing your core values and staying true to them, even when others don't like them, is foundational to having strong self‐awareness.
Buddy also knew that a good sense of humor, including the rare yet vital ability to laugh at oneself, was paramount to loving life and enjoying the ride. Fact of life.
Right now, Buddy was busy meeting the young man whose face had moved from angry to downright ...
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