‘Servant Leadership’ – Former Southwest Airlines' President Colleen Barrett on Leadership Styles

KNOWLEDGE@WHARTON ARCHIVES: Most of the U.S. airline industry is under assault from skyrocketing fuel prices and a sluggish economy, but the message that former Southwest Airlines president Colleen Barrett brought to the Wharton Leadership Conference in 2008 was about the importance of treating employees and customers well. Innovative leaders such as Southwest chairman Herb Kelleher and smart management of non-human resources -- especially Southwest's fuel purchasing hedges that have saved the company more than $2 billion -- have certainly helped the airline post profits for 35 consecutive years. But the foundation for all that, she said, has been making the satisfaction of employees and customers the highest priority. A classic interview from Knowledge@Wharton, Barrett offers insight and guidance to modern-day human resources issues in the workplace, including the adoption of "servant leadership."

More on this interview: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/southwest-airlines-colleen-barrett-flies-high-on-fuel-hedging-and-servant-leadership/

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