Effective Leadership: Southwest Airlines

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Southwest Airlines' co-founder and CEO, Herb Kelleher, is frequently cited as a perfect example of how a charismatic leader can inspire followers to achieve organizational goals in spite of challenges and constraints. The paper shows how his company has managed to flourish in spite of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and a shaky global economy. The paper provides a review of the relevant and peer-reviewed literature. The paper concludes that successful leadership is not as complicated as many might imagine. The paper emphasizes how Herb Kelleher took an infant airline comprised of three aircraft and transformed it into an industry leader that has managed to survive and prosper during some very difficult times.

Outline:
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Review and Discussion
Organizational Behavior Today at Southwest Airlines
Leadership and Organizational Dynamics
Chapter Three: Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Even more than some other industries, the global airlines industry was horsewhipped following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and some major carriers ended in bankruptcy as a result. One shining example that managed to remain viable and even show a profit during this period, though, was Southwest Airlines. The company did not achieve this level of performance by accident, though, nor has it maintained its enviable position in the airline industry without effort. According to its corporate literature, in May 1988, the company was the first airline to win the so-called airline industry "Triple Crown" for a single month: (a) Best On-time Record, (b) Best Baggage Handling, and (c) Fewest Customer Complaints."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ashby, M. D., & Miles, S. A. (2002) Leaders talk leadership: Top executives speak their minds. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Avolio, B. J. (2005). Leadership development in balance: Made/born. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (2002). Developing potential across a full range of leadership: Cases on transactional and transformational leadership. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Blackwell, C. W., & Gibson, J. W. (1999). Flying high with Herb Kelleher: A profile in charismatic leadership." Journal of Leadership Studies, 120.
• Blackwell, C. W., Gibson, J. W., & Hannon, J. C. (1998). Charismatic leadership: The hidden controversy." Journal of Leadership Studies, 5(4), 11.

More papers on Effective Leadership: Southwest Airlines:

• Analytical Essay # 146425 : "Southwest Airlines Culture and Management"
• Analytical Essay # 112006 : "Southwest Airlines"
• Case Study # 125680 : "Southwest Case Study"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: