✈️ What Every Small Business Owner Can Learn from Southwest Airlines
¡Conectemos!
(Yes… an airline can teach you how to run your business better.)
This week during one of my leadership trainings, I shared something unexpected with my team:
We studied Southwest Airlines — one of the most legendary brands in America… and one that also made some of the biggest leadership mistakes in recent years.
Why?
Because whether you’re leading 3 employees or 300, leadership is leadership.
And if you want to grow with soul, stay consistent, and scale without crashing — you’ve got to learn from both the wins and the failures of the greats.
❤️ Lesson 1: Love Your Team. LOUDLY.
Herb Kelleher, Southwest’s most iconic CEO, wasn’t just running numbers — he was writing thousands of birthday cards to employees. He showed up with energy, passion, and real care.
“The business of business is people.” – Herb
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Love is a true trait of leadership.
If your team doesn’t feel seen, they won’t stay.
Say thank you. Celebrate birthdays. Ask about their day. It matters.
🧩 Lesson 2: Simplicity Scales. Complexity Kills.
Southwest only flew one type of plane — the Boeing 737. That decision saved millions in training, repairs, and logistics.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Whether you run a salon, design agency, or food truck — simplify.
Fewer packages. Clear processes. Easier onboarding. Less confusion = more growth.
🧠 Lesson 3: Crisis Doesn’t Build You. It Reveals You.
After 9/11, most airlines laid off thousands.
Southwest? Zero layoffs. They stood by their humans, even when it hurt.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Your values aren’t real until they cost you something.
When the pressure’s on — lead with empathy, not panic. Your team will never forget it.
🚨 Lesson 4: Don’t Wait to Evolve.
Years later, Southwest delayed system upgrades, ignored employee feedback, and in 2022, their operations collapsed:
➤ 16,700+ flights canceled
➤ Millions stranded
➤ Trust destroyed
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Don’t wait for the breakdown to fix your systems.
Upgrade now.
Improve your tools, your tech, your leadership structures before you hit turbulence.
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🧭 Lesson 5: Grow Humans, Not Just Revenue.
Southwest expanded fast. But they didn’t invest enough in their leaders.
As they scaled, their internal culture cracked.
It wasn’t about bad people — it was about leaders who weren’t trained for growth.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Don’t just build a bigger business. Build better leaders.
Coach your managers. Mentor your team.
Teach humans to lead — not just follow checklists.
🔍 Lesson 6: Transparency Builds Loyalty.
After the 2022 meltdown, current CEO Bob Jordan owned it.
He went on TV, apologized, and started fixing what was broken.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Leadership isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being honest when things go wrong.
Tell the truth. Fix it fast. Stay visible.
🔄 Lesson 7: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.
Southwest’s charm and simplicity made them great. But nostalgia held them back.
They resisted change — and it cost them dearly.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Respect your roots, but don’t get stuck in them.
If you want to grow, evolve your mindset, your systems, your brand. Keep creating. Keep adapting.
📦 Lesson 8: Operations + Energy = Brand Power
Southwest was loved not just for its low prices — but for its vibe.
Funny flight attendants. Free bags. A company that felt real.
That culture was no accident — it was designed.
🧠 brandON takeaway:
Every business — no matter how small — has a vibe.
Protect yours. Build it. Define it.
Culture isn’t just for big brands — it’s your competitive edge.
Resumiendo:
🧠 Final Thought for Leaders and Business Owners:
You don’t need to run an airline to think like a world-class CEO.
Whether you lead a barbershop, law firm, art gallery, tattoo studio, or landscaping crew — your leadership shapes your culture, your systems, your retention, your vibe.
Want to fly higher?
✅ Start loving your team harder.
✅ Simplify your chaos.
✅ Train better humans.
✅ Upgrade before things break.
✅ Communicate like a real one.
I am here to help you turn YOUR brandON
YOU GOT THIS! Stay caffeinated.
Southwest Airlines was founded in 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King with a mission to “democratize the skies” by offering affordable air travel within Texas. Herb Kelleher, their iconic CEO, was not only brilliant but deeply human-focused. He believed in putting employees first — and trusted that happy employees would create happy customers.
Key Moves:
Simple routes (point-to-point)
One aircraft model (Boeing 737) to simplify maintenance and training
No frills, no assigned seating
A fierce and fun company culture