Motivational Profile of Southwest Airlines

Motivational Profile of Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines were founded more than 36 years ago by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher having at the basis a simple concept: getting the passengers at the destination in due time, at low prices and make them have a good time during their flight. It seems that the plan proved to be good, as since 1987 "Southwest has consistently led the entire airline industry with the lowest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded'. Moreover, the numbers speak for themselves: the company's net income is of $499 million, the total number of passengers carried is of 96.3 million, the total RPMs are of 67.7 billion, the passenger load factor is of 73.1%, whileas the total operating revenue is of 9.1 billion.

Under these circumstances, "the mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit." In the same framework, the company aims to offer its employees a stable and friendly work environment, where they would have the possibility of learning and of professional advancing. In the same respects, the management appreciates the personnel's creativity and innovation and, as a follow-up, they are rewarded for bringing improvements within the Southwest Airlines. In addition, the employees are treated with concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization, a sort of attitude they are demanded to use in the relationship with the company's customers.

What is for sure is that these tactics are highly appreciated by the personnel of the company, since the Southwestern Airlines has more than 33.000 people within its system. It may be inferred that the main motivation strategy consists in offering them incentives and benefices. Moreover, the leadership style counts a lot as well, as the concern, respect and caring attitude surely offers them the sensation of a friendly work environment.

In my opinion, the leadership style must be the main source of motivation for the personnel and, therefore, it should continuously be improved. Practically, the company's management has succeeded to give the employees the feeling that it is not only their job that matters, but them as persons as well. This attitude usually leads to the feeling that the reason for which one comes to work and does his job properly is not the obligation, but his personal satisfaction and pleasure. I consider that all big companies should adopt a policy as such and give their employees the feeling they are highly appreciated and valued.

On the other hand, it is clearly enough that the financial benefits are of great importance as well, because this is the ultimate end of any path in developing a career. Thus, as mentioned above, the fact that the company rewards its people for bringing improvements inside must be a successful policy, as people are practically motivated to do their job and are encouraged to contribute more to the well-being of SWA. In the same respects, the leadership should not omit to increase the salaries from time to time, as this is the surest guarantee that valuable employees would not look for another job.