Leadership: The Next Generation of Leaders

June 2022

A few weeks ago, I celebrated my 20th anniversary at Southwest Airlines and what a ride it has been. No one would have ever convinced me twenty years ago that I would one day become the Chief Marketing Officer; simply working at Southwest Airlines and being a part of its famed Culture was a dream come true. I am one of many examples of a first-generation college graduate who this Company believed in, invested in, and provided growth opportunities. It is my responsibility, and the responsibility of all Leaders at Southwest, to ensure the same opportunities are available for our next generation of Leaders.

To do that, we must ensure that Southwest remains a successful, growing Company where opportunities are abundant. Ultimately, it is how we treat our People that determines our level of success. Herb Kelleher, Co-Founder of Southwest, once said, “Your People come first, and if you treat them right, they’ll treat the Customers right.” Profits and Shareholder returns will follow.

Southwest Airlines is a special Company and a special place to build a career. In order to remain that way, it must continue to be led by People who treat others with respect and who believe in and live out the values that are at the heart of our Company. These values we hold close are things like integrity, humility, being transparent, and always being kind.

These are the values that show we care about the People of Southwest Airlines, and these are the values our next generation of Leaders must possess. The best way for that to happen is to ensure our future Leaders see their current Leaders live out these values in how they lead Teams and live their lives. We all learn by watching others and emulating what we think makes them effective and successful. If the next generation sees today’s Leaders live out these values and succeed – for Southwest Airlines and in their own careers – they will buy in. Success begets success.

I am excited and inspired by what I see in our next generation of Leaders. They will evolve our Company and adapt to whatever future challenges lie ahead. I am confident they will live out the core values of Southwest Airlines, and so, the recipe of our success over the last 51 years will be the same that drives us forward over the next half-century.

XOXO,

Ryan Green

Ryan Green

Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (at the time of publication)

View Thought Leaders Recommended Resources

Do you have questions for our Southwest Leaders about what it means to Lead Well? For a limited time, you will have the opportunity to submit your questions for a Southwest Thought Leader to answer in our next Virtual Fireside Chat.

Submit your questions in the box below, and be sure to keep an eye out for an email announcing the opening of registration for the Virtual Fireside Chat!

Learning Well: Effectively Growing Diverse Teams

In today’s workplace, effectively growing and managing diverse Teams is paramount to success. Southwest Airlines President Emeritus, the late Colleen Barrett, mastered this principle, and I am blessed to be able to apply her lessons firsthand from seeing years of her “walking the talk.”

Mike Sims July 18, 2024

Leading Well: Navigating One on One Conversations

At Southwest Airlines, we pride ourselves in putting our People first—whether that’s your Fellow Employee (Coheart) sitting next to you in a meeting or the Customer you’re helping board one of our planes. In my more than 16 years working at Southwest, I’ve had many opportunities to see that People-first mentality modeled by Leaders (first established by our beloved President Emeritus, the late Colleen Barrett).

Adam Carlisle June 25, 2024

05302024 colleen thought leader post hero adj

Special Edition: Colleen on Sustaining Strong Performance

Have you ever wondered why Southwest Airlines receives such an incredible amount of media coverage? Obviously, we have a wonderful Public Relations Department making sure our accomplishments and activities don’t go unnoticed, but the mere fact that we are a “successful airline” – two words most people think don’t go together – makes us newsworthy. It also leaves us- and everything we do open to scrutiny.

Colleen Barrett May 30, 2024

The Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service