Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

I Was Always Motivated

Kelleher was being interviewed one time and he was asked the question of when he had started feeling so motivated. His response to me is a great lesson for all of us.

He responded saying: "I was always motivated.... Even the things I wasn't supposed to do, I undertook with great energy, dedication, and perseverance. In grammar school, high school, and college, I stayed up later than anybody else,... reading for my honors exams." 

To me what is important in his response is that he was always motivated. Why that's important to me in how it relates to management is that it put him in the place to be on top of his game no matter what the circumstances. When we apply ourselves at different levels of engagement based upon our current likes or disposition alone, it puts in the place of picking and choosing when we give our all. I think that it's a mistake to operate that way.

We need to be on top of our game if we're going to succeed in business and life. Being on top of our game involves being motivated for whatever comes our way at the time. I've seen it many times where people who desire to advance in management and responsibility do this very picking and choosing. The result is that they're never promoted. You've got to bloom where you're planted if you want to succeed.

There are people now that talk to me about what they can do to advance, and their response is always that they aren't motivated to do what they're responsible for now in a highly motivated way. They always mention how they'll do it once they're put into a management position. It ain't going to happen, unless you have managers who don't understand this.

You can't just turn off and on what it is you're giving yourself to. Give yourself heartily to what you're doing and you will eventually reach your goals and purpose.

Always being motivated is a great way to be prepared for whatever it is the day hands us; whether we're in senior management or just starting off on our journey.

Other Herb Kelleher Sources:

Special Event

Leadership: The Essential Herb Kelleher

The CEO as Brand Guardian

Herb's way

Speeches and Presentations from Southwest Leaders

Southwest Airlines: The Hottest Thing in the Sky

Have Fun, Make Money

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