Real Leadership20 Aug 2025

Chris Condon, Founder and CEO of Aircon

What if the future of logistics isn’t about bigger fleets—but about smarter connections?

Chris Condon grew up with the grit of farm country and the drive to fix what’s broken. After decades in the freight industry, he realized the real opportunity wasn’t in moving more freight. It was in empowering the small and mid-sized freight forwarders who move 80% of the world’s cargo.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Chris shares the journey that led him to found Aircon, an AI-powered platform reshaping how freight forwarders quote, book, and manage cargo. From sleepless nights building early-stage tech to rethinking how the industry uses capacity, Chris unpacks the lessons he’s learned about leadership, adaptability, and the power of putting people—and partners—first.

In this episode, we cover:

Why small freight forwarders are the “linchpin” of global logistics
How AI can help companies compete at scale without massive infrastructure
The leadership mindset shift from operational execution to strategic advisory
What it really takes to navigate the ups and downs of early-stage growth
The future of air freight—and why capacity, not cost, will define success

Time Stamps

04:10 - Understanding AirCon's Role in Freight Forwarding

06:56 - The Decision to Start AirCon

07:11 - The Importance of Freight Forwarders

08:03 - AI's Impact on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

10:11 - The Future of the Logistics Workforce

11:54 - Leadership Lessons from Farming Background

Show Notes

Chris on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chriscondon/
Aircon Website: https://www.airconai.com/
Contact Aircon: sales@airconai.com
Jim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418
Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com
Real Leadership LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/
The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients

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