Herb Kelleher

In 1996 - when, for the fifth year in a row, we had the best record among major airlines for on-time performance…

— Herb Kelleher

Culture is intangible. It's spiritual. You can't buy it.

— Herb Kelleher

Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people…

— Herb Kelleher

You can have parties without spending enormous sums of money.

— Herb Kelleher

If the employees come first, then they're happy. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep…

— Herb Kelleher

I love battles. I think it's part of the Irish in me.

— Herb Kelleher

The Wright Amendment is a pain in the ass, but not every pain in the ass is a constitutional infringement.

— Herb Kelleher

Most people think of us as this flamboyant airline, but we're really very conservative from the fiscal standpoint.

— Herb Kelleher

I don't really have any peeves, and I fly other carriers a good bit. My experience has been good in terms of…

— Herb Kelleher

I learned it by doing it, and I was scared to death.

— Herb Kelleher

It is my practice to try to understand how valuable something is by trying to imagine myself without it.

— Herb Kelleher

Who says a lighthearted approach to business is incompatible with success?

— Herb Kelleher

We have a strategic plan. It's called 'doing things'.

— Herb Kelleher

If you create an environment where the people truly participate, you don't need control. They know what needs to be done and…

— Herb Kelleher

It takes nerves of steel to stay neurotic.

— Herb Kelleher

I'd say my mother made more of a difference to me than anyone else did. I know that's a conventional and perhaps…

— Herb Kelleher

Just because you don't announce your plan doesn't mean you don't have one.

— Herb Kelleher

Fight hierarchy and bureaucracy as hard as you possibly can. Don't ever let it become the master; always remember it's the servant.

— Herb Kelleher

The spirit of Southwest Airlines is exuberant, it's caring, it's dedicated, it's diligent, it's fun, it's rewarding, it's a joy.

— Herb Kelleher

The essential difference in service is not machines or 'things.' The essential difference is minds, hearts, spirits, and souls.

— Herb Kelleher

My suggestion is that if you need someone outside your company to prepare a mission statement for you, then you really don't…

— Herb Kelleher

If you're crazy enough to do what you love for a living, then you're bound to create a life that matters.

— Herb Kelleher

People with different personalities, different approaches, different values succeed not because one set of values or priorities is superior but because their…

— Herb Kelleher

We've always operated on the thesis that a company can have a personality, that people can be themselves, and be very successful…

— Herb Kelleher

I've always said manage in good times so that you're ready for the bad times.

— Herb Kelleher