Amateur Move, Mav! It never works in executive negotiations.
And It Didn’t Work at the White House Either…
Zelenskyy was given the deal. Multiple people told him what it was and he arrived at the White House under the pretense of signing it.
With the world watching the stage was set.
Then… the rug pull.
At the last minute, he backed out. He never intended to sign anything. It was a calculated move, not a misunderstanding. A bait-and-switch played out in front of the world.
The Deal Killer
In business, this is a deal killer. Nothing screams “amateur” louder than pulling the rug at the last second.
“I know you said it’s an on-site role, but I’m going to work from home 10 days a month. I’m much more effective that way.”
“Yes, we agreed on VP of Ops, but I should actually be COO. And it should come with a lot of equity—big job, big reward.”
“Yeah, we said we’d relocate, but now I think I’m going to commute Monday-Thursday. Let’s re-evaluate in a year.”
“Ohhh yeah, we did agree on price… but you never asked about shipping, warranty, or dealer extras. That’s another $10K.”
These aren’t power moves. They’re trust killers. And once trust is gone, so are the opportunities.
Remember, doors close fast.
Rarely do they reopen.
About Craig Picken
Craig Picken is the Managing Partner of Craig Picken Executive Search, a retained search firm focused on elevating leadership in aviation and aerospace. Since 2008, he has completed more than 400 senior-level searches across MRO, manufacturing, and services, partnering with premier OEMs, operators, financial organizations, and private equity sponsors.
A former Naval Flight Officer with over 100 combat missions and 325 carrier landings, Craig brings a unique perspective as the only executive recruiter in the industry who has flown, sold, and led P&L in aviation. Beyond recruiting, he is a speaker, executive coach, and host of The Aerospace Executive Podcast, where he highlights leadership insights from across the industry.
