Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian shares personal stories of employees going above and beyond, highlighting empathy and humanity in customer interactions. He emphasizes the cultural imperative of treating customers with kindness. Ed discusses the hiring process, focusing on finding individuals with a heart for service and a track record of going the extra mile.
Delta Airlines prioritizes the safety and well-being of its employees and customers, generating loyalty and longevity through a philosophy of servant leadership.
Being a visible and authentic leader, Delta Airlines' CEO, Ed Bastian, emphasizes the importance of demonstrating company values in action and being willing to admit mistakes to build trust and foster learning.
Deep dives
Delta Airlines Overcame Challenges During the Pandemic
Delta Airlines produced a documentary called The Steepest Climb, chronicling their journey during the pandemic. The documentary highlights how Delta overcame the biggest challenge in its history. During the pandemic, Delta prioritized the safety, health, and well-being of its employees and customers. They blocked middle seats on planes to ensure a safer environment for employees and customers. This approach showed their commitment to putting employees first and generating loyalty from both employees and customers.
Building a Culture of Service and Employee Loyalty
Delta Airlines places a strong emphasis on relationships, particularly the relationship between leadership and frontline employees. The company operates on a philosophy of servant leadership, where putting employees first leads to exceptional customer service. By prioritizing employee well-being, Delta creates a culture of loyalty and longevity. Employees feel valued and supported, resulting in high levels of tenure and a strong esprit de corps within the organization.
Being the Face of the Brand and Admitting Mistakes
Delta Airlines CEO, Ed Bastian, understands the importance of being a visible and accessible leader. Being the face of the brand allows him to demonstrate the values and principles that Delta upholds. Bastian believes that leaders should be present and authentic, and demonstrate the company's values in action rather than relying solely on marketing. Additionally, Bastian acknowledges that leaders must be willing to admit mistakes and take responsibility for them. This vulnerability builds trust and allows for learning and improvement.
Episode 308 | People-driven and customer-focused is how Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastain intentionally chooses to lead his team of 100,000 global professionals. Ed shares personal stories of Delta employees going above and beyond to assist passengers in difficult situations, highlighting the value of empathy and humanity in customer interactions. He emphasizes the cultural imperative of treating customers with kindness and courtesy, regardless of the circumstances. Ed also discusses the hiring process at Delta, focusing on the importance of finding individuals with a heart for service and a track record of going the extra mile.
Building Exceptional Leaders in Uncertain Times: During uncertain times, people look to their leaders to reassure and realign them toward their most important goals. These four critical behaviors help leaders motivate and focus their people on what really matters, even amid uncertainty, stress, and burnout.
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