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FacebookThis was the 18th year for Southwest Airlines to gather at 10:30 am to celebrate an event created in their Culture Committee called Heroes of the Heart. Everyone comes wearing red. Big heart-shaped cookies are served. A quartet from the Marketing Team performed love songs and the big moment arrived.
A suspense filled video described the valor under pressure and importance of the mystery team about to be honored …those who are in charge of the mail, shipping and receiving. A large banner was unfurled announcing the winners as Distribution Services. The crowd applauded and whistled as one by one, their names are called and each is honored with a model of the SWA Heroes of the Heart plane and two gold passes to fly anywhere on Southwest Airlines. A luncheon is held in their honor and their pictures are taken with the special Heroes of the Heart plane which will fly for this year in their department’s honor. It’s a memorable event, symbolizing the abundant heart each Employee brings to their job each day.
Our Partner, Carol Haddock, worked all day Friday with a team inflating hundreds of balloons to make impressive arches, tall columns and long garlands to cover the stair rails. This is one of many creative, fun and heartwarming occasions where Leaders at Southwest Airlines recognize and appreciate Employees.
If you wonder what servant leadership is all about, this event is a good example. It means finding many ways, large and small, to express appreciation, make work fun, and share the LUV. Colleen Barrett, (under whose leadership this day was created) just wrote a new book with Ken Blanchard called, Lead with LUV. If you want to learn more about how and why Southwest continues to be successful, buy a copy. It’s an inspiring read!
"Ann McGee-Cooper teaches us that 'work' and 'drudgery' are not synonymous. She shows how a job can be a source of fellowship, zest, pride, fun, and individual expression. If we follow her precepts, we will return home refreshed, not jaded, and inspired rather than debilitated, at the end of our 'fun day,' not our 'work day.' We will also collectively be a more productive, competitive, and healthy society. I believe in what she says." 
