Mariya Zuberi is rightly being called a hero after her actions stopped a tragedy from becoming much worse.
When her charter plane took off for a test flight in Mumbai, she quickly realized there were mechanical issues. The plane crashed, killing all four onboard, including Zuberi, and two people on the ground.
It's a tragedy that could have been much worse if not for Zuberi's quick thinking. Officials are saying she successfully steered the plane away from more densely populated areas, including away from several tall buildings.
And it wasn't just quick thinking.
India's former civil aviation minister, Praful Patel, tweeted that Zuberi sacrificed her own life to save others.
Saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident at #ghatkopar as Charter plane crashes in an open area. Salute to t… https://t.co/fiwOB8YA9X— Praful Patel (@Praful Patel) 1530177366
Zuberi, 47, reportedly ignored family pressure to become a doctor and instead pursued her dream of flying. She was doing what she loved and made the ultimate sacrifice to save others.
"She was a very good pilot, the first in her Muslim family to choose this profession," said her husband, Prabhat Kathuria.
Yesterday’s plane accident in Mumbai was really a tragic one but the brave pilots saved other’s lives even at that… https://t.co/peR2AXVJ3e— V Satish (@V Satish) 1530264738
Co-pilot from Allahabad helped save many more lives in Mumbai crash Her doctor father wanted Marya Zuberi to follo… https://t.co/KZeXBXMQBy— Amrita Bhinder 🇮🇳 (@Amrita Bhinder 🇮🇳) 1530261036
But it didn't have to end this way.
The crash is a reminder about the seriousness of plane safety.
Zuberi's husband says her co-pilot had expressed concerns over bad weather but that they were pressured to make a test flight in the 20-year-old aircraft anyway.
"The incident could have been averted," he said.
Chartered plane crash in Mumbai is shocking. The plane operating company which is known for flouting #DGCA rules mu… https://t.co/QKpXh5Ykb9— Sanjay Nirupam (@Sanjay Nirupam) 1530198664
2017 was a banner year for commercial aviation safety, the first time no official deaths were reported from crashes.
In April 2018, a woman died on a Southwest Airlines flight after an engine failure shattered the window next to her seat. A month later, a commercial plane in Cuba crashed, killing more than 100 on board. These incidents, like the one in Mumbai, have raised concerns about whether airline regulations are being enforced strongly enough.
Zuberi is a hero, and her legacy should inspire action to protect others going forward.
It's important to investigate why the plane crashed and whether it should have been flown at all. Early reports indicate the plane had been grounded for several years for mechanical concerns. More importantly, the best way to honor the memory of Zuberi and her fellow victims is to take the proper steps to help prevent accidents like this in the future.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.