Building Your Circle of Trust

In aviation, trusting your wingman is paramount. Whether you’re flying through clear skies or navigating turbulent weather, your wingman has your back, providing support, stability, and safety. But the beauty of this relationship doesn’t stop at the cockpit—it extends into every aspect of life.

For me, my husband is my perfect wingman. In the air, he’s steady and reliable, and on the ground, he’s my constant source of support. Our life together is a balancing act of trust, communication, and mutual respect, and it works because we both know what we can expect from each other. Whether it’s an exhilarating day in the sky or navigating our day-to-day responsibilities, we know how to fly in formation, so to speak.

But beyond marriage, trusting your wingman is about building relationships based on consistency, dependability, and communication. It’s about showing up—delivering what is expected from you and being predictable in a world full of variables.

Life is full of variables: unexpected challenges, shifting priorities, and circumstances we can’t control. These are the turbulent skies we all navigate. But amidst the unknown, the one thing we can control is how we show up for others—and how they show up for us.

Just like in a formation flight, you and your wingman need to stay in sync, moving together seamlessly. In life, the same principle applies. Whether you’re working with a colleague, partnering with a friend, or supporting your family, being reliable and predictable gives others the confidence to trust you—just as you trust them.

But this kind of trust isn’t built overnight. It takes time, repetition, and clear communication to establish that confidence in each other’s abilities.

Consistency is the key to earning trust. Your wingman knows what to expect from you, because you’ve demonstrated time and again that you’ll deliver. You stay steady in formation, follow through on promises, and remain dependable in both the small moments and the critical ones. It’s this predictability that creates a bond of trust.

In life, people need to know they can rely on you, just as you rely on them. When you’re consistent in your actions, decisions, and how you treat others, you create a foundation of trust that allows you both to fly higher—whether in personal relationships, business, or everyday challenges.

In the air, your wingman is not just a companion—they are a crucial part of your safety. You rely on each other to stay sharp, to anticipate movements, and to alert one another to potential dangers. In life, we do the same. Our relationships thrive on mutual support and accountability.

When we surround ourselves with people we can trust—those who are consistent and reliable—we create a circle of safety. We know someone has our back, and that we are not alone in facing life’s challenges.

This trust allows us to take calculated risks, to explore new possibilities, and to grow. Just as a wingman provides stability in the sky, the trusted people in our lives provide a grounding force that helps us pursue our goals, knowing we have a support system to rely on.

Whether in the cockpit or in life, trusting your wingman is about more than just sharing the load. It’s about knowing that, together, you’re stronger, safer, and more capable. By showing up consistently, delivering what’s expected, and being a reliable presence, we not only build trust with others, but we also empower them to soar higher with us.

So, who is your wingman in life? And how can you be a better one for them? Whether in your marriage, your friendships, or your professional partnerships, the principles of trust, communication, and consistency apply everywhere. When you fly in formation with the right people, you can weather any storm and enjoy the smooth skies ahead.