The Great Teams in sports and business all know that cockiness precedes a fall, and that a modest approach to competition always breeds success. Southwest Airlines—the world’s largest low-cost airline and regularly ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction by the U.S. Department of Transportation—thrives on humility. The airline stands out in a crowded field by remaining true to its values, which competitors have tried—and failed—to duplicate.
I recently spoke at an executive leadership summit at Southwest and had the opportunity to sit down afterwards with CEO Gary Kelly to discuss the heady times he’s presided over. He quickly made the point that meekness is directly connected with his company’s success.
As a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, and 13-time New York Times Best-Selling author, Don Yaeger is one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. From walking into Afghanistan with the Mujahadeen to living with football legend Walter Payton, Don has spent three decades embedded with the world’s greatest "Greats." Now a sought-after executive coach and host of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, he translates the lessons of sports and business legends into actionable strategies for building a culture of greatness.
