A discussion about the airline industry, airline employees, and all things related

Fortune Magazine and CNNMoney released the top ten companies for leaders 2007 and surprise surprise, no aviation based companies made the list.  The list of companies was developed by Hewitt Associates based on several key areas including:  survey and interview data, company reputation, leadership culture and values, and a proven track record. 

So why did none of the airlines or aviation related firms make the top ten list for leaders in 2007? 

There are a lot of variables that probably kept the airlines off the list this year.  Company reputation probably played a role in the decision making.  Threats of strikes and dwindling company morale might have softened some people’s perception towards the airlines.  Lower rates of customer satisfaction probably did not help their reputation either.  When you rank right down at the bottom near the cable companies for customer satisfaction, your company is not known for their positive reputation. 

Leadership culture and values in the airline industry are hard to find.  Some airlines like Continental Airlines reasonably like their company’s leadership but other airlines like Northwest employees might see their leadership as more of a separate identity and not apart of the company.  Culture and values at the company have to lead to a positive outcome and some might see the growing disconnect between airline CEO’s and the employees at the airline as a reason to keep airlines off the list of top leaders of 2007. 

A proven track record is something the airlines are not good at even in good years.  Keeping good leaders in charge and at the airline is something that seems to be difficult.  The former CEO of Continental Airlines that brought that airline out of bankruptcy in the 1990’s and put that airline back on track is a rarity in the industry.  However, there are quite a few good CEO’s out there but they tend not to stick around the industry for very long and go on to greener pastures. 

So what can airlines do to get on the list?  It is not a simple answer.  It takes years of developing quality leadership within the company and using that leadership to grow and expand the company.  Once any company finds that right leadership they do not keep to keep it isolated at the top.  Invite other areas to come in to learn, explore and experience exceptional leadership.  Growing leadership from the top down.