People at Southwest Airlines knew Herb Kelleher by a number of titles during his years as president, CEO and executive chairman: founder, inspiration, chairman emeritus and friend. When Kelleher died Thursday at age 87, Southwest Airlines posted on social media beneath a photo of a saluting Kelleher, “We already miss you, Herbie. #HonoringHerb.”
Southwest Airlines and the Industry Mourn Loss of Herb Kelleher
Key Takeaways:
- Herb Kelleher, co-founder of Southwest Airlines, was a visionary leader who built the company into an industry giant through innovative strategies.
- He revolutionized air travel by prioritizing low fares, operational efficiency (e.g., a single aircraft type), and avoiding major congested airports.
- Kelleher famously focused on employee happiness as a primary business strategy, believing it would lead to satisfied customers and consistent shareholder dividends.
- Known for his unique sense of humor and unconventional management style, he fostered a distinctive company culture, even settling a legal dispute with an arm-wrestling match.
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