It’s the Culture We Seek

Monday, June 30, 2008 | 1 p.m.

I’ve been traveling quite a bit over the last few months, so my magazine reading has reached an all time high. I’ve even read some magazines twice! When will someone put new products in the Sky Mall?

One article that I recently read sticks out from the others. In the latest Southwest Spirit magazine, Colleen Barrett writes an excellent piece titled, “Talking Southwest Culture.”

Colleen, president of the Dallas-based airline, hits on the success of the company. Sure, the people are important, the customer service is critical and its on-time record is paramount, but what separates Southwest Airlines from other carriers is its unique culture.

A company’s culture is its organizational glue. It embodies the company’s mission and, as Colleen states, “It motivates and sustains us.” Many of us spend our careers seeking a place in which to work where we are aligned with its mission or vision. What we should be seeking, however, is cultural fit, which is even more important if we are to reach our potential.

Every organization has a culture. However, some organizations allow the culture to permeate everything they do — the culture becomes the expression of the companies’ values and a reflection of the people they employ. You’ll know when a company’s culture is strong when it is not dictated from above, yet still lives, breathes and flourishes. The culture, as Colleen says, “stems from the collective personality of our employees.” Southwest is a great example where this collective sum is indeed greater than the parts.

On another note, today marks the one-year anniversary of the “The Heart of Business.” I’d like to thank all of you who read it, and especially those who post comments and help me see other viewpoints. Your feedback is critical to the success of this column. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences and please keep doing so. Your comments become the fuel to help me keep going.

I would also like to thank Bruce Spotleson who gave me the chance to write to a larger audience. Thanks to Sal DeFilippo and Greg Thilmont, who kept the column posted and edited. Special thanks to Sally, the best editor I know.

And, finally, thanks to Pat Teague, who has pledged to keep the column posted in the future.

Here’s to another year!

Until next time… Craig