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

"Play to win!"

Did you notice that Kelleher didn't say "work to win," but "play to win?"

Those who create the type of business culture where work and play, as far as attitude goes, are one, are in a strategic place above their competitors.

Why? It's one of those things that simply makes everything you do better than a company of people that aren't into what they're doing.

To be into what they're doing, a people must enjoy it, and consider the words play and work as interchangeable.

When you look at any type of sport, you can see an illustration of what we're talking about. Work and play are integrated together in an activity which usually brings out the best in all people involved. Did I say players? Or is it workers? They're both!

If all work ends up being is grinding out each day with the only hope going out the door, that company and person will never be able to put out or compete with the type of company and person that integrates work and play as one.

At that point it becomes important to win; and the reason is because it's fun to win - it brings out the best in people. The journey ends up becoming as important as the end, as the two become indistinguishable. The satisfying completion of the task set before us becomes the dessert of the full meal we ate on the way to getting there.

Herb Kellerher worked, played and won at Southwest Airlines (LUV), as well as the rest of the quirky workforce he worked and played with.

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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