...Southwest Airlines: Leadership Matters Latrice Alston University of Phoenix COM 530: Communication for Accountants Tonya Boddie September 12, 2012 Southwest Airlines: Leadership Matters Leadership styles affect the way organizations function and interact with employees, consumers, and business partners. Leaders develop a style of communicating based many times on experience. Southwest Airlines, a leader in the airline industry has enjoyed unparalleled success due to its business plan and dynamic leadership. For Southwest Airlines, senior management places great emphasis on employees realizing satisfied employees are pivotal to the success the organization has and will continue to experience. Effective leaders are critical to advancing the vision and mission of the organization. Southwest Airlines continues to make strides in the airline industry based the strategic vision of management. Southwest’s mission to provide excellent customer service delivered in with warmth, friendliness and pride is the mantra of the organization. Leadership comes with a price and those tasked with leading must be able to balance both the mission of the organization and the needs of employees. Unlike other organizations Southwest Airlines, due to the multi-faceted leadership style has a very low rate of negative attrition. Factors impacting attrition within organization can most time be attributed to the way organizations are managed. Having weathered...
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...Southwest Airlines: Leading Success Stephanie Pena Communication for Accountants/ COM530 July 14, 2014 Brent Smith Southwest Airlines: Leading Success Leadership, motivation, and workforce commitment are key building blocks within an organization. In a successful organization, these building blocks are connected and held together with the effectiveness of communication. Organizations develop their respective cultures through communication among leadership and with all employees, regarding their mission, values, and goals (Robbins & Judge, 2011). Leaders, both formal and informal, use communication within an organization as a means to motivate others, and to develop loyal and trustworthy employees. Such an organization is Southwest Airlines, whose company culture has been characterized over the years as having unique leadership and communications style. The style of leadership that exists within the organization sets the tone for the types of communication that are not only effective but are also motivational to its workforce. Analysis of Leadership Leadership is broadly defined as the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of vision or set of goals (Robbins & Judge, 2011). While no two people will lead in exactly the same manner, early research conducted by psychologist Kurt Lewin states that there are three basic leadership styles. The basic styles of leadership are (1) authoritarian, (2) participative and (3) delegative leadership (Cherry, 2014)...
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...Employee Motivation Angelie Johnson ABS 415 Instructor Mark Bova November 17, 2014 Employee Motivation In this paper I will be discussing Wal-Mart and Southwest Airlines motivation for their employees. As you see in this paper the companies have implemented successful motivational plans but do not involve monetary reward/compensation for the employees. It is important for the companies to have more pros than cons to represent a great staff and to run a successful business. When you are fully motivated and productive you will have more people to feel the need to stay and work with your business for a long time. Since the relationship with the employee and the manger is the most important factor influencing engagement, the responsibility will fall on the management or leader to improve the motivational levels of his/her employees. Employee motivation is needed in all companies in order to have a successful business. Wal-Mart is a company that has been around for a very long time. This company has many employees around the United States. You cannot go any where with out seeing a Wal-Mart in some town. Motivation is alive through all levels of positions at Wal-Mart. This company motivates employees in many different ways in order to prove that the company is not only care about profit they can gain from employees but also employees’ crises. One of the facts proved about this motivation is the used of term “association” instead of “employee”. Being an associate...
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...The Dynamics of Leadership and Management Tanya Y. Baker University of Phoenix Mgt 330 Management: Theory, Practice, and Application Greg Czarnecki December 2, 2008 The Dynamics of Leadership and Management The words leadership and management have been used by some people synonymously for decades. The two words have very different meanings and play two very different roles within the structure of an organization. Although the most successful management teams have great leadership, some management teams lack leadership at all. Management is merely the positions within organizations that set goals and expectations for its members to achieve. Leadership is the way in which management will motivate its members to achieve those goals and expectations. Management is the place in the organizational structure that affords a person the ability to lead. Leaders are the people who are able to efficiently and effectively achieve the goals of the organization by motivating its members. In order to better understand what the roles and responsibilities of great leaders are, we must first know what a leader’s role is; according to Bateman & Snell (2009) “a leader is one who influences others to attain the goals of the organization.” Leaders are responsible for motivating their members to achieve the desired goals. Historically, just getting your employees to come to work and do the job that they were paid to do was considered leadership. As time and competition evolved management realized...
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...Communication The following document is a review of Southwest Airlines Company. Additionally, the literature will discuss how different leadership styles would affect group communication in Southwest Airlines Company. Moreover, this document will analyze the different sources of power found in Southwest Airlines Company and how those different sources of power affect group and organizational communication. Furthermore, the current culture in Southwest Airlines Company will be reviewed to identify the motivational theories that would be effective within their culture. Likewise, the role of communication will be evaluated as an element of the theories pronounced. Last, the commitment of the workforce to the organization and Southwest Airlines Company’s relationship to the organization’s communication will be described. Different Leadership Styles Effective leadership in Southwest Airlines Company involves being conscious on how to correspond with all components of the group, involving workers, other executives, clients and stockholders. Southwest Airlines Company communication would be affected by different leadership styles in a good way depending upon the smooth transition between styles. Every unit inside the corporation may involve a diverse communication style and leadership style. Moreover, leaders should be able to acclimate based on the unit he or she are communicating amongst at the occasion ("Effective Communication & Leadership", 2013). Successful communication abilities are...
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...| Southwest Airlines Co. | Organizational Commitment and Communication | | | | Southwest Airlines, Co is according to Fortune magazine one of the best places to work for. The Company’s mission statement is "The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit." (Southwest.com) Southwest believes that their mission statement has led the way to the best cumulative consumer satisfaction record, according to statistics published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. They have the fewest customer complaints, and they have the most satisfied employees, their turnover ratio is less than 10% (D’Aurizio, 2008). Communication and Leadership play a critical role in any organization and Southwest Airline is not the exception. These two factors are crucial to their success. In this paper, I will discuss the role of organizational commitment and communication within Southwest Airlines. Specifically, I will discuss how the various sources of power and leadership styles impact the organization as a whole. Also, I will discuss the motivational theory that I believe fits best with Southwest’s current culture and how the organization communicates the motivational theory to its employees. Finally, I will take a look at the commitment of the employee and how they respond to the organizations attempt to motive them. Organizational Commitment and Communication ...
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...Southwest airlines originated in 1971 by its founders, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. The airline focused on short flights with customer service that was “delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual price and company spirit.” (Anonymous, 2005, p.16). Since it’s origination, the company has won multiple prestigous awards for it’s leadership, employee satisfaction, and outstanding customer service which can always be found in their coorporate environment, which is filled with non traditional humor. How does a company stay successful in the notoriously volitile airline industry for so many years? This paper will discuss Southwest’s leadership, sources of power, motivational theory and workforce. How communication is impacted in each of these areas will be the topic of focus. Leadership Southwest screens individuals carefully in their interview process. The company looks for the traits in people who have “a sense of humor, a fun loving attitude and don’t take themselves too seriously”. (Hardage, 2006, p.2). “The company hires not on skill, but on the basis of attitudes and belives that skill can be taught in the classroom but they can’t change attitude.” (Bunz & D, 1998, p.2). “Trait theories focus on personal qualities and characteristics. The search for personality, social, physical, or intellectual attributes that differentiate leaders from non-leaders goes back to the earliest stages of leadership research.” (Beebe, Masterson, 2009,). “The University of...
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...Southwest airlines originated in 1971 by its founders, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. The airline focused on short flights with customer service that was “delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual price and company spirit.” (Anonymous, 2005, p.16). Since it’s origination, the company has won multiple prestigous awards for it’s leadership, employee satisfaction, and outstanding customer service which can always be found in their coorporate environment, which is filled with non traditional humor. How does a company stay successful in the notoriously volitile airline industry for so many years? This paper will discuss Southwest’s leadership, sources of power, motivational theory and workforce. How communication is impacted in each of these areas will be the topic of focus. Leadership Southwest screens individuals carefully in their interview process. The company looks for the traits in people who have “a sense of humor, a fun loving attitude and don’t take themselves too seriously”. (Hardage, 2006, p.2). “The company hires not on skill, but on the basis of attitudes and belives that skill can be taught in the classroom but they can’t change attitude.” (Bunz & D, 1998, p.2). “Trait theories focus on personal qualities and characteristics. The search for personality, social, physical, or intellectual attributes that differentiate leaders from non-leaders goes back to the earliest stages of leadership research.” (Beebe, Masterson, 2009,). “The University of...
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...Southwest Airlines’ Motivational Profile PSY/320 Southwest Airlines’ Motivational Profile According to Merriam-Webster (2011), the definition of motivation is “a motivating force, stimulus, or influence” (p. 1). Based on Johmarshall Reeve’s Understanding Motivation and Emotion, this definition is widely customary by many psychologists, but what psychologists cannot agree on is what causes motivation. In fact, this topic has been on a rollercoaster ride over many decades by gaining and losing popularity of psychologists. Keeping of this in mind, some of today’s top companies keep motivation near and dear to everything that they do. The chosen organization for this research is Southwest Airlines, and the following paragraphs will take a close look at the history of the organization, corporate culture, management, and the motivational strategies used. The History of Southwest Airlines When many people today think of flying in aircrafts, they do not realize that this mode of transportation started only 107 years ago with Wilbur and Orville Wright. Only 64 years later in 1967 Southwest Airlines, known as Air Southwest incorporated, and applied for license to fly (Southwest Airlines, 2011, p.1). 1971 Through 1981 Numerous legal battles with Continental Airlines and two other airlines at the time occurred in the Texas State Court and Texas Supreme Court from February 21, 1968 to June 17, 1971. The next day, June 18, 1971, marked the first day...
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...Southwest Airlines The success of any organization, regardless of the size, depends on strong communication between its employees and senior management to the entire organization. Moreover, a successful organization depends on functional groups which are powered by strong individuals that hold a leadership position. Leaders have a tremendous effect on an organization and can influence the organization and its employees in a variety of ways both positively and negatively. In terms of communication, leaders influence how an organization’s managers and employees communicate with each other. Effective communication occurs when the intended receiver understands this idea, information, or belief in the way the sender intends. However, when the receiver fails to interpret the meaning of the idea, information, or the feeling the sender is attempted to transmit, the result is poor communication. When this occurs, negative reactions, confusion, or even anger can occur that can result in a good idea or plan to fail (Nayab, N. (2010). How does Leadership Affect Group Communication. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubpm.com/resource-management/92791-how-does-leadership-affect-group-communication/). Southwest Airlines was established and is currently operated by individuals who pride themselves as strong leaders, who insisted on creativity within the company, and created an organization that allowed its employees to communicate with each other and with senior management. One of the...
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...SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CASE STUDY COMPANY OVERVIEW Southwest Airlines Co. (“Southwest”) is a major U.S. airline that primarily provides short haul, high frequency, point-to-point, low-fare service. Southwest was incorporated in Texas and commenced operations on June 18, 1971 with three Boeing 737 aircraft serving three Texas cities-Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Southwest has the lowest operating cost structure in the domestic airline industry and consistently offers the lowest and simplest fares. It also has one of the best overall customer service records. LUV is Southwest’s New york Stock Exchange symbol, selected to represent the company’s home at Dallas Love Field, as well as the theme of Southwest’s employee and customer relationships (Southwest Airlines Investors Relations statement at www.southwest.com10/10/04). Vision: To have a conservative increase growth, capitalize and cutback schedules of other airlines. To continue expanding conservatively in long-haul success. The company’s mission is clearly stated and communicates its information throughout the organization and to its customers. The Mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company Spirit. To our employees we are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness...
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...Southwest Airlines, Inc. Introduction Southwest Airlines was established in 1967 by entrepreneur Herb Kelleher. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas the name Southwest Airlines was adopted in 1971. Southwest Airlines today has set the bench mark for many other Airlines trying to catch up to the innovation that has taken place over the last 35 years. Several of the key elements of Southwest’s success is their Mission Statement “Low Fares and Spartan Service” and their dominating Philosophy of “Peanut Fares, Peanut Meals, and Peanut Jokes.” So what does Southwest Airlines value? Like most companies the answer to this question would be our customers of course, but not Southwest Airlines they value their employees, they see their employees as their number one customer. Which brings us to the interesting topic of Southwest’s culture. Southwest Airlines Culture is unlike many of numerous companies in the USA where they have implemented and formalized “quality management programs” and they failed because they were “programs of the month.” At Southwest Airlines implementing “quality” throughout the company is not the result of a formalized program but required cultural change in the way they conduct their daily activities. The main requirement of “doing it right the first time” is integrated into the daily activities or culture of the company. The chairman of the board and president of a company has established the tone for quality in not only what they communicate but also in...
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...INTRODUCTION: The Google Company is one of the most profitable companies in the United States and this is not by accident. This company has risen above its competitors with strong leadership, communication, and organizational structure that encourage success. This paper will evaluate the Google Company paying close attention to the leadership traits of CEO Larry Page. This paper will also explain why teams play such an import role into the success of Google as a leader within the industry. Finally, Google’s organizational structure will be explained to show the characteristics of the company that lead to its current success. DISCUSSION: What leadership style best represents Google’s CEO Larry Page? The text defines leadership as the process of influencing others to facilitate the attainment of the organizationally relevant goals (Ivancevich). Leadership styles are the different ways in which leaders influence others to motivate a group or team to attain organizational goals. These leadership styles include telling, selling, participating, and delegating. CEO Larry page uses all of these styles to a certain degree depending on whom he is communicating with and when he is communicating. When the CEO is communicating with members of his team he has been known to use the participating style, which is where leaders and followers share in the decision s about best to complete a high-quality job. This style was evident when Larry Page urged his team to “dream big” at the Google...
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...TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP LDR550Z-Leadership and Team Development-Fall 2011 Abstract This research paper addresses various aspects of transformational and transactional leadership styles. It mainly presents a comparative overview of these leadership styles. Further, it talks about an example of each transformational and transactional leadership in real-world. This leads to mentioning various applications that each leadership style finds in today’s business. Analysis of strengths and weaknesses or potential growth areas of both leadership styles is mentioned to help in better understanding of the subject. At last, the paper concludes with some discusses if knowing one’s leadership style and leadership style of your leader is important or not. Introduction In today’s volatile economy, the business is rapidly changing and getting more competitive with each passing day. Therefore, in order to survive in this market, the organizations need to continuously come out with innovative solutions. In these situations, transformational leaders play a vital role by encouraging creativity from their followers and maximizing their performance and productivity. On the other hand, transactional leaders are needed to maintain the stability and achieve goals on a regular basis. In order to analyze or compare these two styles of leadership, a brief introduction to both the styles is needed. Transformational Leader According to Bernard Bass, “Transformational leadership is a form of...
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...Kiara A. Holland Capella University Southwest Airlines Case Study Analysis MBA 6143: Entrepreneurial Leadership August 17, 2012 Abstract This paper analyzes Southwest Airlines Case Study. Southwest Airlines was originally incorporated to serve three cities in Texas as Air Southwest on March 15, 1967, by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher. Leadership at Southwest Airlines plays a paramount role in the success of the company. Before its role is discussed in detail though, a definition of leadership will provide a foundation for the rest of this analysis. The paper explains the Southwest Airlines company history, background of the company, the role of leadership at Southwest Airlines, how culture is displayed at the company, competitive dimensions, leadership practices of CEO, recasting the role of the CEO, and 21st century entrepreneurial leader. Keywords: 21st century entrepreneurial leader, Southwest Airlines, Leadership, CEO Company History Southwest Airlines was originally incorporated to serve three cities in Texas as Air Southwest on March 15, 1967, by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher. According to frequently-cited story, King described the concept to Kelleher over dinner by drawing on a paper napkin a triangle symbolizing the routes (Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio). Some of the incumbent airlines of the time (Braniff, Aloha Airlines, United Airlines, Trans-Texas, and...
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