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

"Being profitable means job security."

We've been talking quite a bit lately about the forces from outside a company that attempt to get it off its moorings and purpose. Many of them sound good and are probably well-intentioned, nevertheless, it can be devastating to a company.

Here again we hear the simple truth from a great business leader who talks about profitability being the only means of job security. It's not going out and trying to save the world; as noble and nice as that sounds.

Just about every great business leader we talk about here says something just like Herb Kelleher does in their own way concerning the purpose of a business. They also conclude that getting off that purpose is a sure way to disaster.

So when Kelleher talks about job security, he's talking about focusing on the things that ensure profitability, which is the only thing that can bring job security about.

The greatest thing a business can do is remain true to its values and offer up the best service it can to its customers. That's the reason it exists in the first place. If someone gets a business to move off that, they're going to suffer in a competitive market.

If there is something out of our profits we want to give to worthy causes, the only thing that can bring that about is being faithful to the people we serve. Get off that focus, and you won't be around long enough to help anybody.

I've been hitting on this so hard lately because I've seen businesses hurt in big ways from getting off their purpose and running after endless needs and problems that they are in no way equipped to handle.

Again, the best way to help people is to help them with what you're really good at. What you're really good at should be providing products and services to the market you serve.

Other Herb Kelleher Sources:

A Culture of Commitment

HERB KELLEHER

The wild turkey

Herb Kelleher on the Record, Part 1

Herb Kelleher Talks about How Southwest Airlines Grew from Entrepreneurial Startup to Industry Leadership

Belief Model for The Leadership of Herb Kelleher (Southwest Airlines)

Herb Kelleher, Chairman, CEO and President, Southwest Airlines

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