Emma Henderson
Leadership Speaker
Emma Henderson MBE is a leadership speaker and one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide. Through her signature approach, Grounded Leadership, Emma shares powerful lessons from 30 years in aviation to help organisations develop authentic leadership, strengthen decision-making, and build resilient, high-performing teams. Blending compelling stories with practical insights, she inspires audiences to lead with humanity, humility, and humour, and equips them with tools to thrive in today’s increasingly turbulent world.
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Biography
Emma Henderson MBE is a transformative leadership speaker, award-winning CEO, and one of fewer than 500 female airline captains globally. She empowers organisations to build resilient, human-centred leadership cultures that thrive under pressure and adapt with confidence in times of change.
Drawing on over 30 years of aviation experience, Emma has transitioned her extraordinary career from commanding aircraft at 37,000 feet to founding the acclaimed Project Wingman and pioneering her signature leadership philosophy: Grounded Leadership. This innovative approach blends aviation insights with leadership theory to equip leaders and teams with the mindset, tools, and behaviours needed to stay grounded, decisive, and adaptable—no matter how turbulent the environment.
Emma’s work centres on helping organisations:
- Develop authentic, people-first leadership cultures that balance humanity, humility, and humour
- Strengthen decision-making and risk management skills using aviation’s proven frameworks
- Foster resilience and adaptability in rapidly changing or high-stakes environments
- Build trust and psychological safety to enable high-performing teams to flourish
Her Grounded Leadership framework—rooted in the principles of Humanity, Humility, and Humour and supported by her adaptable PILOT Path to Success—offers a practical, actionable guide for leaders navigating uncertainty, complexity, and change.
Emma’s bestselling book, GROUNDED, shares powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, and reinvention, drawing from her own journey from the flight deck to founding a national wellbeing movement. Her story resonates with audiences navigating leadership challenges, personal reinvention, and the need for courageous, values-led decision-making.
As a respected keynote speaker, Emma has delivered impactful sessions for organisations including NatWest, RBS, EDF, NHS, WTW, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and others. Her talks seamlessly weave compelling flight deck stories with leadership insights, equipping audiences with practical strategies they can apply immediately. Known for her authenticity, warmth, and a touch of humour, Emma leaves audiences inspired, challenged, and empowered to act.
Emma was awarded an MBE in 2021 for services to charity and wellbeing and continues to advocate for leadership that puts people first. She is actively growing Grounded Leadership into a global movement, working with businesses and leaders who seek to lead with purpose, courage, and clarity.
Currently training for her Kilimanjaro climb in February 2026, Emma embodies the mindset of continuous challenge and growth she champions in her work—demonstrating that leadership doesn’t stop at the top, but continues with every step forward.
By booking Emma Henderson, you’re investing in a leadership experience that challenges thinking, builds capability, and inspires action—helping your leaders and teams stay grounded, even when the ground shifts beneath them.
What I Currently Do
Publications
Grounded by Emma Henderson MBE (Hardback)
Grounded by Emma Henderson (Paperback)
Speaking Topics
Bomb Proof Resilience
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders often find themselves navigating through turbulent skies of uncertainty. The ability to make confident decisions and maintain control, even when faced with incomplete information or unexpected challenges, is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck. Just as a pilot must remain in command during all phases of flight, modern leaders must take control of their decision-making processes to guide their organisations through times of change and uncertainty. From sudden market shifts to internal team conflicts, the pressures on business leaders are diverse and relentless. Similarly, airline captains face a myriad of challenges, from severe weather conditions to complex technical issues. You can let these pressures overwhelm you and erode your team's confidence, or you can use them as opportunities to demonstrate bomb-proof resilience and foster a culture of decisive action within your organisation. How you respond to challenges and make decisions sets the tone for your entire team, whether in the air or on the ground. Bomb-proof resilience is about developing the mental fortitude to remain in control, make sound decisions, and inspire confidence in others—even when the path ahead is unclear and the pressure is mounting. As an experienced airline captain, Emma Henderson brings a unique perspective on decision- making under pressure. She'll share personal anecdotes from the flight deck and draw parallels to business leadership, offering practical strategies that have helped her maintain control and lead effectively in high-stakes situations. Emma will discuss techniques for implementing cockpit- tested decision-making models in business contexts, overcoming analysis paralysis, and building confidence in your decision-making abilities—all while managing your own stress and doubts. With years of experience guiding aircraft and crews through challenging situations, Emma offers a relatable and authentic perspective on the challenges of modern leadership. Her engaging presentation style combines technical expertise with humour and honesty, delivering actionable insights that will resonate with leaders at all levels. Attendees will leave the session with renewed confidence and practical tools to enhance their decision-making skills and resilience under pressure.
Doing Less, Well
In today's fast-paced business world, the pressure to "do it all" and be "all things to all people" can be overwhelming. However, true leadership excellence often lies not in trying to accomplish everything yourself, but in focusing on what truly matters and empowering others through effective delegation. Just as a captain must trust their flight crew to perform their roles effectively, modern leaders must master the art of delegation to unlock their team's full potential and drive organisational success. From overflowing inboxes to endless meeting requests, the demands on leaders' time and attention seem endless. Similarly, airline captains must manage a complex array of tasks while maintaining a big-picture view of the flight's progress and safety. You can let these demands overwhelm you and lead to burnout, or you can learn to focus on high-impact activities, empower your team through effective delegation, and create a culture of shared responsibility and growth. How you manage your workload and empower your team sets the tone for your entire organisation's efficiency and effectiveness, whether in the air or on the ground. Doing less, well, is about developing the discernment to identify what truly matters, the courage to say no to less important tasks, and the leadership skills to delegate effectively—even when it might seem easier to just do everything yourself. As an experienced airline captain, Emma Henderson brings a unique perspective on effective delegation and prioritisation. She'll share personal anecdotes from the flight deck and draw parallels to business leadership, offering practical strategies that have helped her manage complex operations while empowering her crew. Emma will discuss techniques for identifying and focusing on high- impact activities, saying no gracefully and effectively, and delegating tasks in a way that develops team members and drives results. With years of experience leading crews and managing the multiple demands of aviation, Emma offers a relatable and authentic perspective on the challenges of modern leadership. Her engaging presentation style combines technical expertise with humour and honesty, delivering actionable insights that will resonate with leaders at all levels. Attendees will leave the session with renewed focus and practical tools to enhance their delegation skills, improve team effectiveness, and achieve more by doing less.
From Airbus to Carebus - my journey through Aviation and beyond
In today's rapidly evolving world, career paths are rarely linear, and personal dreams often take unexpected turns. The ability to adapt, persevere, and find purpose in the face of challenges is crucial for both professional success and personal fulfilment. Just as an aircraft must navigate through changing weather patterns and unexpected turbulence, individuals must be prepared to adjust their course, overcome obstacles, and embrace new opportunities—even when they deviate from the original flight plan. From childhood aspirations to mid-career transitions, my journey of personal and professional development is filled with triumphs, setbacks, and moments of transformative growth. From a young girl dreaming of the Space Shuttle to becoming an airline captain, and ultimately transitioning to a new calling, my story embodies the unpredictable yet inspiring nature of pursuing one's passions. We can let unexpected challenges and changes derail your aspirations, or we can use them as catalysts for growth, self-discovery, and making a meaningful impact in ways we might never have imagined. How you approach your life's journey sets the tone for your personal and professional growth, whether in the air or on the ground. Navigating from Airbus to Carebus is about developing the resilience to overcome obstacles, the courage to embrace change, and the wisdom to find purpose and fulfilment—even when your destination looks different from what you initially envisioned. As an experienced airline captain who transitioned into founding a charity, Emma Henderson brings a unique and inspiring perspective on career evolution and personal growth. She'll share her remarkable journey, from the young girl watching a Space Shuttle land on the back of a 747 to becoming one of the few female airline captains in the world, and her unexpected transition out of flying but not out of aviation. Emma will recount the challenges she faced, including surviving a life-threatening illness and failing her first attempt at command, as well as the triumphs and lessons learned along the way. She'll discuss how she navigated these experiences with resilience, humility, and a focus on serving others—all while finding new ways to apply her aviation skills in unforeseen contexts. With a career spanning over three decades in aviation and beyond, Emma offers a relatable and authentic perspective on the challenges and opportunities of personal and professional reinvention. Her engaging presentation style combines personal anecdotes with practical insights, delivering a powerful message of hope, resilience, and the importance of being open to new possibilities. Attendees will leave the session inspired to pursue their own dreams, embrace change with confidence, and find ways to make a meaningful impact in their personal and professional lives.
Media Appearances
Emma Showreel (Version One)
This is Emmas first showreel - the second is in edit as I write - it gives a taste of what Emma is like on stage and what her background is
Feedback
"Emma shared her experience and insights with us in an engaging and compelling manner. Thoughtful, yet inspirational, she made a profound impact on all those she engaged with during her time with us at the University. I cannot recommend her highly enough."
Sir David Bell KBE DL
"Sometimes you meet someone who makes an impact on you and you need to share them because you know how powerful it could be for others"
Fay Weir
"Emma's story perfectly reflects the genuine and inspirational person that she is. Told in a refreshingly transparent and humorous way, from take off to landing she captivated our global audience with a warmth and drive that clearly resonated with all. A special person who makes a big difference."
Darren Porter FRAeS
"We were a delighted to welcome Emma Henderson as the keynote speaker at our Project Management Community Conference earlier this month. From the outset, Emma was a pleasure to work with and was warm, engaging, and exceptionally professional in her communication. On the day, feedback from attendees was very positive, with many highlighting her keynote as a standout moment. Comments described her as “particularly inspiring and thought-provoking” “a great guest speaker,” and “very impressive.” Her insights into the aviation industry were both informative and aspirational, offering real value to our audience and prompting meaningful reflection. We are incredibly grateful for Emma's contribution to this event and we would not hesitate to recommend her as a speaker for future events."
Megan Tarplee
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