Herb Kelleher was the founder of Southwest Airlines and a true revolutionary in the aviation industry. His innovative strategies, unique leadership style, and dedication to providing low-cost flights to passengers across the United States made him one of the most important figures in modern aviation.
Kelleher was born in 1931 in Camden, New Jersey and grew up fascinated with airplanes. He attended a military school for two years before enrolling at Wesleyan University whre he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. After graduating from law school at New York University, he moved to Texas and eventually opened his own law firm.
It was during this time that Kelleher came up with the concept of Southwest Airlines as a way to provide low-cost airline travel to Texas residents. He wrote his business plan on the back of a cocktail napkin and set out to make it happen. Working with Rollin King, they moved forward with their plan and officially launched Southwest Airlines in 1971 with three planes operating out of Dallas Love Field Airport.
Kelleher served as CEO for nearly 30 years during which time he implemented many industry-changing practices such as no assigned seating, only flying Boeing 737s, point-to-point rather than hub routes, allowing two checked bags for free, and no change fees. He also led by example, often working long hours without taking vacations or days off; drinking Wild Turkey whiskey; smoking cigarettes; and never sleeping more than four hours a night.
Kelleher’s success did not come without challenges—in 1978 a lawsuit between Southwest Airlines and American Airlines threatened the airline’s existence but Kelleher’s resilience paid off when they won in court five years later.
In 1999 Kelleher was diagnosed with prostate cancer but continued working until 2001 when he stepped down as CEO of Southwest Airlines due to health reasons—he passed away 18 years later on January 3rd 2019 due to natural causes at the age of 87.
Herb Kelleher is remembered today as one of the greatest innovators in aviation history—his legacy lives on through his revolutionary ideas that are still implemented by Southwest Airlines today—and will likely be remembered for generations to come as an industry leader who changed air travel forever.
Herb Kelleher’s Legacy
Herb Kelleher is renowned for his instrumental role in revolutionizing the airline industry. He founded Southwest Airlines in 1971 with a business plan written on the back of a cocktail napkin, and his vision for a low-fare carrier has since seen Southwest become the largest domestic airline in the United States. Throughout his time at Southwest, Kelleher successfully implemented an innovative culture that focused on customer service, affordability, and simplicity. His leadership helped Southwest to achieve an unprecedented 40 years of consecutive profitability and expand from tree jets to over 700 aircraft. Kelleher was also recognized for his strong commitment to employee satisfaction, as enhanced benefits and recognition programs earned him accolades from both staff and customers alike. He will forever be remembered as one of the most influential figures in modern aviation history.
The Cause of Herb Kelleher’s Death
Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines, passed away on January 3rd, 2019 at the age of 87. He was known for his tireless work ethic and fondness for Wild Turkey bourbon and cigarettes. Kelleher had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 and underwent radiation therapy, hoever he ultimately succumbed to the disease and passed away from complications related to it.
Herb Kelleher as a Leader
Herb Kelleher was a visionary leader who shaped Southwest Airlines into the successful airline it is today. He was an innovator and a risk-taker, as he pioneered the idea of usig one type of plane (Boeing 737) for point-to-point flying, without assigning seats. He was also patient and persistent in his vision, standing by his core operating strategies even when they were met with resistance. Above all, he was passionate about the success of Southwest Airlines, and this passion motivated and inspired those around him to work hard to achieve their goals.
Herb Kelleher’s Leadership Style: A Servant Leader?
Yes, Herb Kelleher was a servant leader. He was an example of the type of leadership that puts the good of followers first and emphasizes ther development. He believed strongly in creating an environment that was focused on customer service, collaboration, and empowerment. He was also known for his hands-on approach to management and his willingness to get involved in everyday operations. He would often be seen helping with baggage or cleaning planes, showing his commitment to customer satisfaction. Kelleher also encouraged open communication among employees and fostered an environment where creativity and innovation were encouraged. His commitment to servant leadership helped make Southwest Airlines one of the most successful companies in the industry.
Herb Kelleher’s Preferred Beverage
Herb Kelleher was known to drink Wild Turkey, a brand of whiskey made with a blend of American and Canadian whiskeys. It is often characterized by its sweet, smoky flavor, and is usually served neat or on the rocks. The toast at the event featured small bottles of this whiskey, which Kelleher enjoyed drinking.
The Leadership Qualities of Herb Kelleher
Herb Kelleher is an exemplary leader because he exhibits qualities that command respect and inspire greatness. He understands the importance of empathy, and takes great care to recognize the failures, grief, and successes of thse he leads. He values his employees as individuals and remembers their names, creating a sense of connection between himself and his team. Additionally, he makes sure to let them know how much he admires them and loves them as people. Herb Kelleher is a great leader because of his ability to create an inspiring environment where people are valued, respected, and supported in their growth.
Herb Kelleher’s College Education
Herb Kelleher did not attend college. He was born in 1931 and attended Haddon Heights Jr-Sr High School in New Jersey. After graduating from high school, Kelleher attended Wesleyan University and later transferred to New York University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1952. Following his undergraduate studies, Kelleher went on to attend NYU School of Law, where he received his law degree in 1956. During this time, he also worked for a number of law firms and eventually founded Southwest Airlines.
Source: forbes.com
Lessons and Principles Learned from Herb Kelleher’s Leadership
Herb Kelleher’s leadership style is one that focused on treating people with respect, hiring talented individuals, being an original, staying focused and recognizing the importance of culture. By taking these five lessons to heart, leaders can create a successful team and organization.
The first lesson is to treat people well. Herb Kelleher believed in treating each employee as an individual and valued their opinions. He was known for creating a warm and welcoming environment at Southwest Airlines and emphasized the importance of customer service.
The second lesson is to hire for talent. Herb Kelleher recognized that it was important to hire individuals with the necessary skills and talents in order to be successful. He understood that not only did talent create success, but it also created a strong team dynamic that could help drive the organization forward.
The third lesson is to be an original. Herb Kelleher was known for thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative solutions to problems faced by Southwest Airlines. He encouraged employees to take risks and come up with innovative ideas that could benefit the company in the long run.
The fourth lesson is to stay focused. Herb Kelleher was dedicated to his mission of providing quality service at an affordable price for customers of Southwest Airlines. He kept his focus on ensuring that customers had a great experience dring each interaction with Southwest Airlines and believed in providing exceptional service every time.
Finally, the fifth lesson is that culture matters. Herb Kelleher believed in creating a positive work environment where employees felt valued and respected by their peers and superiors alike. He knew that culture was essential in creating a successful business model and did his best to foster an atmosphere of camaraderie among employees at Southwest Airlines.
By taking these five lessons from Herb Kelleher’s leadership style into consideration, leaders can create teams that are motivated and productive while maintaining a positive work environment which can lead to success in any organization or industry they may find themselves in.
Herb Kelleher’s Tenure as CEO of Southwest Airlines
Herb Kelleher was the CEO of Southwest Airlines Co. from its inception in March 1978 until June 2001. During that time, he helped the airline become one of the most successful low-cost carriers in the United States. He was also instrumental in creating an atmosphere of fun and creativity at Southwest that has been credited with helping to make it one of the most beloved airlines amog customers and employees alike. After stepping down as CEO, Kelleher continued to serve as Executive Chairman until 2008.
Exploring the Benefits of Herb Time
Herb Time is the time zone used by the Flight Crews at our company. It is based on Central Standard Time (CST), but uses a different name to differentiate it from other time zones. Herb Time is one hour ahead of CST, meaning it is GMT-6. This is the same as Central Daylight Time (CDT) during daylight saving months, with the difference being that Herb Time does not observe daylight saving changes. This allows for a consistent reference for flight plans and other aviation operations throughout the year.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Conclusion
Herb Kelleher was a revolutionary business leader and founder of Southwest Airlines. He was known for his Wild Turkey swilling, straight talking, and tireless work ethic. Despite having no formal business education, he created a business plan on the back of a cocktail napkin that transformed three jets into the largest low-fare carrier in the country with an unprecedented 40 year streak of profitability. His commitment to Southwest Airlines and its core operating strategies served as an example of servant leadership, placing the good of followers over his own self-interests and emphasizing follower development. Kelleher passed away in 2019 at the age of 87 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999. His legacy will continue to live on through Southwest Airlines and serve as an inspirational reminder to all entrepreneurs.
