Business Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Leadership - Essay Example DuBrin (2008) explained that a charismatic leader lead and influence others using personal charm, inspiration and emotion. This defines Herb Kelleher who was energetic, action oriented, visionary and inspiring. A number of leaders have emerged in the business realm to inspire and motivate employees in their organization to work hard and produce enviable results (Takougang 2004). True leaders are hard to come by because they are in short supply (Finkelstein et al 2007). Some of the outstanding leaders include; Jeff Bezoz, chief executive officer Amazon.co; Richard Branson, chief executive officer Virgin Group; Steven Jobs, chief executive officer Apple Computer; William Gates, who is chairman of Microsoft; and Herb Kelleher, chairman of Southwest Airlines among many others (Mockler 2002). The above leaders appeal to the hearts of their employees. Herb Kelleher is an outstanding leader who through years has demonstrated great abilities running Southwest Airlines. The success of Southwe st Airlines is largely attributed to exemplary leadership of Herb Kelleher. To understand who Herb Kelleher is, it is important to state part of his autobiography. Herb Kelleher Herb Kelleher who is a last born in the family of four, a husband to Joan Negley and father of four children was born on 12 March, 1931 to Harry Kelleher and Ruth Moore. He went to Haddon Heights High School and further proceeded to Wesleyan University for Bachelors of Arts degree in English literature and New York University for a Law degree. While he was a little boy, he spent six summers working at Campbell’s Soap factory where his father was a general manager. Kelleher worked as a warehouse foreman, soap chef and analyst. He became an associate of Lum, Biunno and Tompkins between 1959 and 1961. Between 1961 and 1969, Herb Kelleher was a partner at Nowlin, Macfarlane and Barrett. He became a senior partner of Oppenheimer, Rosenberg, Kelleher and Wheatley between 1971 and 1982. In addition, he worke d as a legal counsel for Southwest Airlines Company from 1966 to 1982. In the years that followed from 1982 to 2001, Herb Kelleher was appointed chairman, chief executive officer and president of Southwest Airlines Company. In 2001, he stepped down as chief executive officer and president of Southwest Airlines Company but retained his chairmanship. In 2007, Herb Kelleher steeped down as a chairman. He further resigned from board of directors of the company in 2008. However, he was to be an employee of the company for five years from 2008. This is because though he was advancing in age, his services were needed. Herb Kelleher was appointed chairman of Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in 2010 for 2011-2013. Herb Kelleher is a distinguished leader who has been awarded for his exemplary leadership performance by chief executive, Texas monthly and Fortune. In addition, Franklin Institute awarded him Bower Award for Business Leadership in 2003 (Reference for Business). Herb Kelleher managem ent style Herb Kelleher leadership skills and style was acquired when he worked at soaps factory where he learned the value of hard work. Furthermore, his work ethics was shaped by his mother who developed a special bond with him. For example, he sat with his mother in the kitchen until wee hours of the morning discussing business, politics and ethics. His mother (Irish woman) instilled him with the importance of treating people with respect. His mother also taught him to be egalitarian and judge people on merit rather than