Structure of Southwest Airlines - Essay Example

People are empowered to make their own decisions at their level of authority, which gives Southwest Airlines the needed flexibility to battle it out with the competition in real-time. It can be best described as an ambidextrous learning organization where the culture provides for a fun place environment that serves as a motivation for employees to render excellent service, who are treated as business partners. A strong bond is encouraged among employees (Lauer 30), who readily help each other when needed.

Overall culture at Southwest is competitive, despite being a fun workplace, because management offers its employees attractive incentive plans and bonuses based on a pay-for-performance scheme that requires total commitment (passion) and employee buy-in. The leadership in Southwest Airlines is characterized by a strong commitment to its corporate objectives and a passion for rendering outstanding customer service. Its leadership is both inspirational and transformative but does not compromise service quality.

Its leaders are viewed as smart, verbally adept, honest and have personable dispositions (Robbins 438).