How does an airline company grow to be the nation’s largest carrier while maintaining the maverick, innovative culture that propelled it to the top and, in the process, earning multiple accolades on industry lists (Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, Vault.com’s Best Travel & Leisure Company, Glassdoor.com’s Best Places to Work)?
You acquire the best talent available. How do you do that? “Our mantra is, we hire for attitude and train for skill,” Gary Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Southwest Airlines, told attendees gathered for the 2015 CEO Talent Summit in Dallas, Texas. “We want people who don’t just have the skill, but also have the passion and attitude to take care of each other and to take care of our customers.”
Prospective employees are not subjected to rigorous personality tests. Instead the company relies on a team approach to hiring, with hiring managers receiving feedback from multiple sources. “If someone comes in for an interview and is rude to the receptionist, that person isn’t for us. We look for people who are humble, who have a great sense of humor, who are goodhearted and want to work hard,” Kelly said, noting that it’s a process that is “probably more art than science.”
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
