Kelleher Quotes

You [the employees] are involved in a crusade. — Herb Kelleher

If you don't treat your own people well, they won't treat other people well. — Herb Kelleher

The more time I spend with our people, the more I find out about our business. — Herb Kelleher

Treat your employees like customers. — Herb Kelleher

You have to treat your employees like your customers. When you treat them right they will treat your outside customers right. — Herb Kelleher

To be an excellent leader, you have to be a superb follower, — Herb Kelleher

Hire for attitude, train for skill. — Herb Kelleher

The tragedy of our time is that we've got it backwards, we've learned to love techniques and use people. — Herb Kelleher

The Wright Amendment is a pain in the ass, but not every pain in the ass is a constitutional infringement. — Herb Kelleher

I forgive all personal weaknesses except egomania and pretension. — Herb Kelleher

I've always been able to make erroneous decisions very quickly. — Herb Kelleher

The business of business is people. — Herb Kelleher

Leading an organization is as much about soul as it is about systems. Effective leadership finds its source in understanding — Herb Kelleher

You don't often see Bobby Kelleher completely flustered, but he was that time. — John Feinstein

If employees aren't satisfied, they won't promote the product we need. — Herb Kelleher

Breathe. Think. Breathe again. Do. — Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher

Just because you don't announce your plan doesn't mean you don't have one. — Herb Kelleher

Think small and act small, and we'll get bigger. Think big and act big, and we'll get smaller. — Herb Kelleher

The clear, unmistakable sign of a bureaucrat is somebody who worries about whether he has a window. — Herb Kelleher

If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs. — Herb Kelleher

The important thing is to take the bricklayer and make him understand that he's building a home, not just laying bricks. — Herb Kelleher

Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility. — Herb Kelleher

One piece of advice that always stuck in my mind is that people should be respected and trusted as people, not because of their position or title. — Herb Kelleher

Wild Turkey whiskey and Philip Morris cigarettes are essential to the maintenance of human life! — Herb Kelleher

You can't have a mid-life crisis in the airline industry because every day is a crisis. — Herb Kelleher

A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear. — Herb Kelleher

I've found that many of the greatest ideas surface in bars because that's where many people cultivate inspiration. — Herb Kelleher

Never allow yourself to get discouraged. — Teresa Kelleher

We have a strategic plan. It's called 'doing things'. — Herb Kelleher

Keep costs low and spirits high, and the people of Southwest Airlines will keep LUV in the air. — Herb Kelleher

You don't hire for skills, you hire for attitude. You can always teach skills. — Herb Kelleher

The essential difference in service is not machines or 'things.' The essential difference is minds, hearts, spirits, and souls. — Herb Kelleher

It is my practice to try to understand how valuable something is by trying to imagine myself without it. — Herb Kelleher

Susan Carol had arrived at the stadium with Bobby Kelleher and Tamara Mearns — John Feinstein

When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew. — Herb Kelleher

The spirit of Southwest Airlines is exuberant, it's caring, it's dedicated, it's diligent, it's fun, it's rewarding, it's a joy. — Herb Kelleher

If you're crazy enough to do what you love for a living, then you're bound to create a life that matters. — Herb Kelleher

Your people come first, and if you treat them right, they'll treat the customers right. — Herb Kelleher

I guess the worst moment I ever had in business was the fear that Southwest Airlines wouldn't get off the ground. — Herb Kelleher

It takes nerves of steel to stay neurotic. — Herb Kelleher

I tell my employees that we're in the service business, and it's incidental that we fly airplanes. — Herb Kelleher