Leadership: Southwest Airlines and Company Essay

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Strayer University
November 2, 2013
Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making When there is diversity within the workplace there are more strengths and talents that are being offered by the employees. When there is strength within the group of employees, there is potential for success. Employees can learn from one another and grow based on experiences with others. Companies that are known to employ individuals with culture and diversity, they are perceived in a more positive way, thus leading to a more profitable bottom line. Not only is it good for the employers, it is great for the employees to work in such an environment. Imagine if all employees had the same strengths and weaknesses. They all came from the same background and lifestyles. There is no diversity. When one employee gets in an unfamiliar situation they cannot approach another because that employee will not have the answer either.
Description of Organization Southwest Airlines is an airline that offers many flights to numerous destinations through out the United States.
According to Southwest Airline’s website, their Citizenship states the following:
“Southwest Airlines has always been devoted to each and every community that we serve. Our Employees, Customers, and neighbors make the Southwest Family the LUVing place that it is, and we are proud to offer our cities more than just friendly and affordable air service. We offer our hearts!”
Southwest is a business, and business’s are about making money. However, Southwest does not have a money hungry culture. They are full of diversity and encourage any and all interested parties to submit an application to join the family.
Examination of the Organization Culture After thorough examination, one could conclude that Southwest offers a culture that values long-term relationships. Also, Southwest emphasizes career development, regular training and advancement. Long-term relationships are based on the company taking time to get to know their employees. The company makes time to choose to get to know their staff on a more personal level versus getting that extra dollar at that moment. Over time, an employee will feel appreciated and will work hard enough to make up for the time missed while getting to know about their home life. According to Southwest Airline’s website , career development and training is offered by the company in order to maintain a standard through out the organization. Personal development is very important for all individuals. How can a company succeed if their employees are failing themselves?
Determining Signs of the Organization Culture
Appreciation
The culture at Southwest Airlines is a positive one. Gary Kelly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated , “Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring long-term competitive advantage.” When a CEO can freely say such uplifting things about their employees there is a true appreciation within the company. Gary Kelly is leading by example and showing that his managers should continue to lead by his example by letting their teams know how strong and important they are to the success of Southwest Airlines. Kelly knows that a happy employee equals a happy customer.
Healthy Atmosphere According to Herb Kelleher (2013), founder of Southwest Airlines, recollection during an interview by Jennifer Reingold, he recalled an employee telling him that he knew his secret. The employee stated that work was fun and that is why things were done effectively and successfully. The employee further said that his home life was now considered work. The employee is making it clear that he or she enjoys their job with the company very much. This is something that is very difficult to accomplish in todays world. When there is a happy employee, there is a productive employee. When employees enjoy their surroundings, they become more productive due to the fact that they enjoy what they do.
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