Final Case Study

Gabriela Rodriguez
HEWLETT-PACKARD

Developing Leaders at Southwest Airlines

The Path-Goal theory best describes the leadership that has been used in the case
Developing Leaders at Southwest Airlines. It is clear that Southwest Airlines leaders have
allowed employees to perform with the guidance they have provided and with a strong path. The
leaders have been able to provide their followers with the best possible guidance in order for
them to succeed. It is stated in the case that the leaders have created a supportive culture and
have all been able to maintain that through their time with Southwest Airlines. Each of the
leaders that have been described have been different but with a similar goal, taking care of
people. By also allowing them to perform, they have given them satisfaction and have created a
better atmosphere for their staff. Within their leadership style they have also incorporated a
pleasurable environment.
Leadership at Southwest Airlines creates a culture that is effective and successful and it
all starts from the initial stages. They are very careful throughout the hiring process to make sure
that they hire the right people that will carry out the principles they hold. During the hiring
process they make sure that the people they hire match with what they need in order to make the
best team possible. When they are ready to hire, they immediately identify if that person will be
fit for the job and make sure that they maintain their positions. Those who succeed are rewarded
and accredited. As stated in the case that true mistakes are pardoned, bad behavior and
performance is not tolerated. One of the practices in HR at Southwest Airlines is that they train
and coach their staff to be best of their abilities to make sure that everyone knows exactly what
they need to do and what the mission is. One of the behaviors of a path goal leader is to be clear
about what is expected of the staff and also displays confidence in their ability. Southwest
Airlines also holds a high standard for employees to represent their company well. They preach

leadership and treat everyone with respect across the board. They also emphasize that leaders
must love what they do and who they work with. Its more of having a genuine care and
sentiment for everyone involved and thus creating a better work environment to be around.
People are more eager to work in a better and happier state when they are treated with respect
and care. This is a requisite that Southwest Airlines holds for management and leadership.
As per the text, The Long and Winding Road, it states that the path-goal theory is an
efficient way of leadership. It is the leader removing difficulties from the followers path thus
allowing them to succeed. It is leaders that allow for better working conditions for the employee
and better results from the employee as far as labor. Questions of Causation in the Path-Goal
Theory, studied the same theory and had the same findings. It also identifies structure from the
leader and the organization for the follower. If structure is provided then the follower will be able
to work reasonably. They support the case, Developing Leaders at Southwest Airlines and the
leadership style they follow.
The Leader-Member exchange theory identifies that on occasion the leader might tend to
identify with employees and form and in group and exclude others. This theory is not like the
leadership described at Southwest Airlines. Since Southwest Airlines looks for people that will fit
in to what they looking for from the beginning, it is not likely that management will exclude
employees once they are within the organization. On the other hand, leadership cares for each of
the employees and will not have the tendency to disregard followers.
The Normative Decision model states that the leader must mold themselves accordingly
to what they find the situation to be. In this theory, they will use the situation before the
employee and act upon that. The leader in this theory mainly uses a style that he will adopt after
they know what the situation may be and who they will involve. It is not similar to the Path-goal

theory as the leader will not always be clear to the follower. The path-goal leader will involve
their followers in the decision making process. The normative decision leader will do the same
after assessing the situation. They will then decide if the followers may or may or may not be
involved or to what extent. So from this theory we can conclude that the follower will not be
considered for the most part. The leader in this theory can or will allow that occasionally but not
like the path-goal theory where the leader considers the follower first.
The path-goal theory concentrates on creating a clear path for the employee that allows
them to grow and helps the organization to succeed. In the case at Southwest Airlines, it
identifies that the leaders that began with the airline have made sure that this leadership style
continues and is maintained. They attract their style by displaying the ideals of the airline
throughout the organization. It is a reinforcement for the followers to keep doing and working
with in this style.

References:
Greene, C. N.. (1979). Questions of Causation in the Path-Goal Theory of Leadership. The
Academy of Management Journal, 22(1), 2241. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.southtexascollege.edu:2048/stable/255476

Schriesheim, C. A., & Neider, L. L. (1996). Path-goal leadership theory: The long and winding
road. Leadership Quarterly, 7(3), 317.