OK – I lied, I said last week that you only had to hand with me on this Southwest Airlines bandwagon for one more day, but I forgot something that’s noteworthy in my study of their culture. Business pundits talk all the time about “managing change.” Equally important is knowing what NOT to change, and how to keep what you want to keep. CEO Gary Kelly managed permanence in the essential qualities of Southwest, low fares, customer service, simplicity and FUN. And it stays the same like crazy. Do you know the things that work and are worth keeping EXACTLY the way they are for a reason? Change for change sake isn’t always good. Like that old Kenny Rogers song, “ya gotta know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em.” Know the things that are foundational to your success and manage their permanence. |