Naomi, still in her window seat, felt a wave of relief wash over her. She mouthed a silent thank you to Captain Sterling as he returned to the cockpit. The flight soon continued boarding, and Naomi returned to her book, grateful for the resolution and the unexpected show of leadership from the pilot.

The rest of the journey was smooth, and when the plane landed in New York, Naomi was among the first to disembark, ready to make her meeting on time. It was a flight she wouldn’t soon forget, not just because of the incident, but because it served as a reminder of the power of calm and considerate leadership in resolving conflicts.