LEADERSHIP ESSAY
LEADERSHIP ESSAY #1
Julio Bermudez
Florida International University
Author Note
This Paper was prepared for SPC 4445, Communication for Effective Leadership, Fall 2014, taught by Professor Christine Donaldson
Abstract
On September 11, 2001, James Parker, then CEO of Southwest Airlines, faced a difficult situation when the government ordered them to ground their entire fleet and shut down. Although, all the other U.S. airlines were faced with the same difficult situation, Southwest Airlines remained positive and succeeded through the crisis. The great leadership that was exemplified by Southwest leaders led them to be able to handle the crisis better than other airlines. Southwest Airlines was able to keep their passengers, flight attendants, pilots, and ground crews satisfied through the crisis, which led them to become a stronger airline. James Parker’s leadership style which greatly influenced the success of Southwest Airlines reveals many aspects found in the contingency model. The leadership methods applied by James Parker were greatly influenced by the situation Southwest Airlines was facing. By staying employee and customer focused, James Parker, was able to be successful through the difficult situation. The author of Leadership in Organizations, Gary Yukl, mentions that a leader’s influence and effectiveness can be altered by aspects of the leadership situation, which is described in contingency theories (Yukl, 2013, p. 163). James Parker was effective and successful in the leadership situation that he found himself in. Southwest Airlines was greatly influenced by Parker’s leadership style and the contingency theory is well represented by his example.
Leadership Essay #1
James Parker, then CEO of Southwest Airlines, faced a difficult situation when the government ordered them to ground their entire fleet and shut down after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Although, all the other U.S. airlines were faced with the same
Julio Bermudez
Florida International University
Author Note
This Paper was prepared for SPC 4445, Communication for Effective Leadership, Fall 2014, taught by Professor Christine Donaldson
Abstract
On September 11, 2001, James Parker, then CEO of Southwest Airlines, faced a difficult situation when the government ordered them to ground their entire fleet and shut down. Although, all the other U.S. airlines were faced with the same difficult situation, Southwest Airlines remained positive and succeeded through the crisis. The great leadership that was exemplified by Southwest leaders led them to be able to handle the crisis better than other airlines. Southwest Airlines was able to keep their passengers, flight attendants, pilots, and ground crews satisfied through the crisis, which led them to become a stronger airline. James Parker’s leadership style which greatly influenced the success of Southwest Airlines reveals many aspects found in the contingency model. The leadership methods applied by James Parker were greatly influenced by the situation Southwest Airlines was facing. By staying employee and customer focused, James Parker, was able to be successful through the difficult situation. The author of Leadership in Organizations, Gary Yukl, mentions that a leader’s influence and effectiveness can be altered by aspects of the leadership situation, which is described in contingency theories (Yukl, 2013, p. 163). James Parker was effective and successful in the leadership situation that he found himself in. Southwest Airlines was greatly influenced by Parker’s leadership style and the contingency theory is well represented by his example.
Leadership Essay #1
James Parker, then CEO of Southwest Airlines, faced a difficult situation when the government ordered them to ground their entire fleet and shut down after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Although, all the other U.S. airlines were faced with the same
References: Yukl, Gary. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed., p.163, p.164, p. 167). Pearson. Case Study #1: Southwest Airlines