From transforming a struggling division into a $6 billion powerhouse to tackling the unprecedented challenges of modern warfare, Matt Milas, President of Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace, knows what it means to lead under pressure.
His journey is a masterclass in turning obstacles into opportunities, and he shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership.
With 20+ years in aerospace leadership, Matt has held executive roles at L3Harris, Raytheon, and Spirit AeroSystems. Now, he’s leading one of the most critical sectors in global defense, driving innovation in AI, automation, and advanced military technology—all while navigating supply chain bottlenecks and the rapidly evolving battlefield.
In this episode, Matt dives into how Honeywell is shaping the future of defense, the leadership principles behind scaling a multi-billion-dollar business, and the bold decisions required to stay ahead in an increasingly complex industry.
With candid insights, battle-tested strategies, and a deep understanding of what it takes to lead high-performing teams, Matt’s story is packed with valuable lessons for leaders across all industries.
Episode Highlights:🔹 The Changing Face of Warfare: How drones, AI, and autonomous systems are redefining military strategy—and what leaders need to know. 🔹 Leading Through Growth & Constraint: The inside story of how Honeywell’s Defense & Space division grew by $1.4 billion in two years—and why supply chain resilience is key. 🔹 Fixing What’s Broken: Matt’s turnaround playbook for reviving underperforming businesses and building a culture of execution and trust. 🔹 The Future of AI in Defense: What’s next for AI-powered systems, autonomous warfare, and digital transformation in aerospace. 🔹 The Leadership Mindset for High-Stakes Industries: How Matt stays energized, focused, and ahead of the curve while leading at the highest level.
Timestamps:⏱ 00:02:15 – How Matt’s aerospace career prepared him for leading in defense ⏱ 00:10:36 – The asymmetric cost of war: Why the U.S. is adapting to low-cost threats ⏱ 00:19:57 – The supply chain crisis in defense: Why capacity is the #1 challenge ⏱ 00:27:57 – The future of AI & automation in military applications ⏱ 00:31:59 – Matt’s leadership philosophy: The #1 trait he looks for in his team ⏱ 00:45:45 – How Matt stays on top of his game as a leader
💡 Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to Real Leadership for more candid conversations with executives who make, move, and process. Stay inspired—follow us on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming episodes and actionable leadership insights.
Show Notes
- Honeywell Careers: https://careers.honeywell.com/us/en
- Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milas/
- Connect with Jim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418/
- The Ōnin Group: https://oningroup.com/clients/
- Explore staffing resources: https://oninstaffing.com/staffing-questions/
Real Leadership Podcat: https://realleadership.oningroup.com/
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