Business Quote by Sean Iddings
““If you ever hear the words conventional and wisdom conjoined, reject them. Because if it is conventional, it isn’t wisdom. And if it’s wisdom, it isn’t conventional. —Herb Kelleher How has Southwest been able to attain uncommon results in the worst industry in capitalism? The company has succeeded by being unconventional. Herb likes to tell the story of how a Washington think tank told the company that it would not be able to survive without six of the “keys to success” that other carriers have used. Southwest followed none of those keys to success. At every point of Southwest’s history, the company has successfully challenged industry norms. Southwest differed from the competition because of its low-cost fares. In the 1970s, before deregulation, flying was expensive, because the government controlled the prices. Rollin King and Herb Kelleher’s idea was to provide lower fares and enable a greater number of Americans to fly. Southwest would not be competing with other airlines but with other forms of transportation.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Southwest Airlines Leadership Talk, Sean Iddings, 2023
Conventional ideas often clash with true insight; true wisdom must break from the status quo to create breakthrough results.
In simple terms: Wisdom isn’t conventional; break norms for success.
Challenge norms to innovate.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- airline pricing strategy
- startup growth
- organizational culture change
- market entry tactics
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What norms could your organization question?
- How do you balance tradition with innovation?
Conventional wisdom can sometimes be useful; rejecting all may ignore valuable lessons.