Colleen Barrett Death, president emeritus of Southwest Airlines has died: At the age of 79, Colleen Barrett passed away. She was largely responsible for developing the corporate culture and customer service focus of Southwest Airlines. The firm said in a news release on Thursday that Barrett is recognized for having established a number of fundamental elements of Southwest’s business and corporate culture, including the brand’s iconic heart, which pays homage to her dedication to demonstrating love to both customers and staff.
During her employment with Southwest Airlines, she held multiple leadership positions, including executive vice president of customers and vice president of administration. She is currently president emeritus.
Barrett continued on to lead the airline from 2001 to July 2008, first as president, then as chief operating officer, and ultimately as president. According to the statement, she was the highest-ranking woman in the commercial airline business at the time. From 2001 to 2008, she was also a member of the Southwest Airlines Company Board of Directors.
According to the announcement, Barrett lived by the Golden Rule, which suggests that one should treat others as they would like to be treated. This led her to prioritize her team members and motivate them to provide excellent customer service. “Treat people the way they want to be treated and the rest will follow, including profitability and shareholder satisfaction,” was her catchphrase that she widely disseminated.
She and Ken Blanchard co-wrote the book “Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Success.” To share her legacy with the nation, Colleen C. Barrett Institute of Cultural Excellence & Customer Service was founded by Southwest Airlines in 2021.
“Colleen’s legacy is the Heart of Southwest Airlines and everything that it stands for, the Golden Rule, hospitality, serving others and most of all, LUV!” Bob Jordan, President & CEO of Southwest, stated in a press statement. “Colleen loved her Southwest Family, and you can see her fingerprints all over Southwest Airlines.” She was one of the hardest people I’ve ever met, leading the charge in numerous fights and emerging victorious in each one. She taught us how to lead with our hearts.
“Garry Kelly, executive chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, stated that her dedication and passion to making sure that our staff members delivered unparalleled customer service has made Southwest Airlines renowned for our hospitality. “We are in the customer service business; we just happen to fly airplanes,” as Colleen is well-known for stating. We reciprocated her unwavering and ongoing devotion for our employees.
Barrett is survived by her brother Pat Crotty and his family, her son-in-law Patrick and daughter-in-law Melodie Barrett, and her cherished grandson Evan Daniel Barrett.
To commemorate her life and legacy, the family is requesting that gifts and other tokens of appreciation be made to the Dallas Hearing Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Visiting Nurse Association (Meals on Wheels), or the Southwest Airlines Employees Catastrophic Assistance Charity.
According to the announcement, information about the visitation, funeral services, and obituary will soon be available.
