#245: Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines – Be both an optimist and a realist

In this episode of How Leaders Lead, David Novak interviews Bob Jordan, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, about his leadership style and how he navigates challenges. Jordan shares stories from his career, including his early jobs and experiences with Southwest's iconic founder, Herb Kelleher. He emphasizes the importance of the company's unique culture, which values fun and service, and discusses key decisions he has made as CEO, such as dealing with an activist investor, implementing cost-cutting measures, and adapting to customer demands for assigned seating and changes to the "Bags Fly Free" policy. Jordan highlights the significance of focusing on people, continuous learning, and maintaining a balance between realism and optimism in leadership.