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Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Real Success
Once, there was a remarkable person who led with love. Her company succeeded where its competitors struggled. Its customers were loyal, its employees loved to work there, and it was profitable year after year, for decades. This loving leader began her career as an executive secretary, yet the company's founder chose her to succeed him as president. When asked why, he said, "Because she knows how to love people to success." She is Colleen Barrett, President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines. Lead with LUV is an extraordinary, wide-ranging conversation between Barrett and the legendary Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager . Drawing on personal experience, Barrett and Blanchard reveal why leading with love is the most powerful way to lead and how it can help you achieve truly amazing levels of performance.
158 pages, Hardcover
First published November 18, 2010
65 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth H. Blanchard
304 books1,841 followersKen Blanchard, one of the most influential leadership experts in the world, is the coauthor of the iconic bestseller, The One Minute Manager, and 60 other books whose combined sales total more than 21 million copies. His groundbreaking works have been translated into more than 27 languages and in 2005 he was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 30, 2012
As always I loved the content of Blanchard's book!
The focus of this book was Accentuate the postivie and celebrate People's successes. I agree with this so much! Even when things go wrong.... they are learning oportunities! Wait and see what people do as follow up and praise efforts!
This is how I lead. I also encourage my team to become leaders and we share the decisions/ the hardships and the successes. When something good happens to one of us it really happens for all. I have a wonderful team that I am proud to be a part of. I think the learning somes and goes from amny different directions. Each of us has a gift to share and if you can lay your ego aside..... you get to have an amazing opportunity to grow because of each person you encounter!
I highly recommend this book!
Loved hearing from teh CEO of Southwest Airline.... her story was inspirational!
Favorite quote:
"Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of peoplle in thier personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of leader." Ken is right- leadership is a way of life!
The focus of this book was Accentuate the postivie and celebrate People's successes. I agree with this so much! Even when things go wrong.... they are learning oportunities! Wait and see what people do as follow up and praise efforts!
This is how I lead. I also encourage my team to become leaders and we share the decisions/ the hardships and the successes. When something good happens to one of us it really happens for all. I have a wonderful team that I am proud to be a part of. I think the learning somes and goes from amny different directions. Each of us has a gift to share and if you can lay your ego aside..... you get to have an amazing opportunity to grow because of each person you encounter!
I highly recommend this book!
Loved hearing from teh CEO of Southwest Airline.... her story was inspirational!
Favorite quote:
"Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of peoplle in thier personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of leader." Ken is right- leadership is a way of life!
February 6, 2022
I always believed in leadership as being a servant first. Love and leadership does go together. This book shows the power of love and how leaders can change the world. Southwest Airlines example is an amazing one.
June 26, 2019
Lead with LUV is a delightful conversation between Colleen Barrett, former President of Southwest Airlines and Ken Blanchard, author of One Minute Manager. Through humor laden questions from Ken Blanchard, she outlines the principles which led to unprecedented success over decades. By treating her employees as her most valuable assess she fostered their development and success. Colleen Barrett begins by showing how leading with “LUV” is not “soft” leadership but is leadership that engenders loyalty from customers both internal and external. Her philosophy is pictured in her reversed traditional pyramid hierarchy which puts customers, internal and external at the top and leadership at the bottom. The reversed pyramid is the cornerstone of her Servant Leadership mantra. Without the typical chapters the book is arranged as a flowing conversation with a question for the reader to analyze their organization and determine if this is something that could work there. Laced with many stories of lives touched by her management style it will engage and challenge leaders to try leading with LUV.
June 7, 2021
Fairly basic book focus is on servant leadership, in which the goal of the leader is to serve. One of the authors was president of Southwest airline and never wanted to become a CEO; she was always more interested in the people side of things. She enjoyed serving more than being served and giving rather than getting.
Contains general tips - give specific praise both at work and at home, treat others way you want to be treated and of course with respect. It can be helpful if you like bringing smiles to people’s faces.
Get right the triple bottom line – profit (economic performance), planet (environmental performance) and people (social performance) – these overlap into sustainability.
In addition include a compelling vision along with and short-term goals and initiatives.
Firstly treat your employees well, secondly customers well, then thirdly share holders well. You are aiming to become the employer of choice, the provider of choice, and the investment of choice.
Treat your People right, and good things will happen!
VLOG summary: https://youtu.be/IGMk2VMZt6Q
Contains general tips - give specific praise both at work and at home, treat others way you want to be treated and of course with respect. It can be helpful if you like bringing smiles to people’s faces.
Get right the triple bottom line – profit (economic performance), planet (environmental performance) and people (social performance) – these overlap into sustainability.
In addition include a compelling vision along with and short-term goals and initiatives.
Firstly treat your employees well, secondly customers well, then thirdly share holders well. You are aiming to become the employer of choice, the provider of choice, and the investment of choice.
Treat your People right, and good things will happen!
VLOG summary: https://youtu.be/IGMk2VMZt6Q
February 27, 2021
Un libro muy bueno, super recomendado para todos, porque aunque habla de temas empresariales va direccionado hacia el servicio que es algo necesario en la vida de cada uno.
Es sencillo de leer y las páginas vuelan entre las manos.
Por último, quiero destacar el bello título en inglés que tiene (en el libro explican por qué LUV)
Es sencillo de leer y las páginas vuelan entre las manos.
Por último, quiero destacar el bello título en inglés que tiene (en el libro explican por qué LUV)
November 13, 2017
Great book with an inside look at what makes Southwest one of the best in customer service and how they treat their employees. Good for anyone in the business world or not on just how to live life and love others.
March 5, 2018
We should lead with Luv
This book was great! I love how the top leaders of a major company looks to serve others, not only to serve but to love while they serve. Totally worth reading.
This book was great! I love how the top leaders of a major company looks to serve others, not only to serve but to love while they serve. Totally worth reading.
May 23, 2018
The essential message was good but could’ve been succinctly shared in an essay/article format. There isn’t enough content for a book, I didn’t enjoy the interview format (seemed so fake), and it read more like a self-promotion vs. how to guide or lead others.
June 11, 2018
I really like the leadership philosophy presented in this book. I feel like it gives us insight into the corporate culture of Southwest, while also giving us readers advice on how to better become, or continue being, servant leaders.
May 2, 2019
Incredible Insights From Gifted Leaders
I loved the back and forth conversational set up of this book. Great stories, lessons learned, tips and tidbits for any person dedicated to being their best and bringing out the best in their people!
I loved the back and forth conversational set up of this book. Great stories, lessons learned, tips and tidbits for any person dedicated to being their best and bringing out the best in their people!
March 24, 2018
The information is great. The audio is awful. Very robotic narration.
December 27, 2019
Amazing look at what makes Southwest the best carrier in the skies.
January 29, 2022
Enjoyable read and mandatory if you think you'd like to work for Southwest Airlines (a career I could not recommend more highly!).
July 8, 2022
It is a great addition to leadership readings. I enjoyed the way it was written as a dialogue between two leaders.
April 17, 2023
It needs a revamp. Good principles from Southwest Airlines but it seemed too idealistic.
January 24, 2025
I enjoyed the book as I typically do with all Blanchard books. It wasn’t the format I expected but it was a great book and I believe it contained many great nuggets of wisdom.
April 6, 2025
This book shows the influence Coleen Barrett had on creating Southwest culture and illustrated why it collapsed.
February 6, 2011
Can I tell you a secret? I love to read books on leadership and business. I find out what makes companies tick, and it's fascinating.
This book is one of the best I've ever read, and I think that all Leaders in business should read it. According to authors Ken Blanchard and Colleen Barrett, that means everyone: everyone is a Leader in some way.
"Lead with Luv" is the story of Southwest Airlines' unusual business philosophy. They believe that their employees come first (followed by customers), because employees who are well-cared for and respected turn that behavior toward their customers. I think we can all say that we have, at one time or another, worked for a firm that treated us as cogs in a wheel and not as individuals; Southwest's philosophy is diametrically opposed to that.
The book is written as a conversation between the two authors. Blanchard and Barrett share anecdotes, either from the perspective of a former CEO for Southwest (Barrett started her career as the original CEO's executive secretary) or a management expert who uses Southwest's Services (Blanchard is the author of "The One Minute Manager"). Barrett also shares quotes from letters sent to Southwest by customers and employees over the years that shed further light on the company's concepts.
I found myself smiling throughout the book, and really considering the questions in the "Stop and Think" boxes that ask readers to ponder their own firm's policies and responses.
The book is very short, but vitally important. If you want your firm to succeed, you could not do better than to follow the simple concepts outlined in "Lead With LUV."
This book is one of the best I've ever read, and I think that all Leaders in business should read it. According to authors Ken Blanchard and Colleen Barrett, that means everyone: everyone is a Leader in some way.
"Lead with Luv" is the story of Southwest Airlines' unusual business philosophy. They believe that their employees come first (followed by customers), because employees who are well-cared for and respected turn that behavior toward their customers. I think we can all say that we have, at one time or another, worked for a firm that treated us as cogs in a wheel and not as individuals; Southwest's philosophy is diametrically opposed to that.
The book is written as a conversation between the two authors. Blanchard and Barrett share anecdotes, either from the perspective of a former CEO for Southwest (Barrett started her career as the original CEO's executive secretary) or a management expert who uses Southwest's Services (Blanchard is the author of "The One Minute Manager"). Barrett also shares quotes from letters sent to Southwest by customers and employees over the years that shed further light on the company's concepts.
I found myself smiling throughout the book, and really considering the questions in the "Stop and Think" boxes that ask readers to ponder their own firm's policies and responses.
The book is very short, but vitally important. If you want your firm to succeed, you could not do better than to follow the simple concepts outlined in "Lead With LUV."
January 8, 2011
Ken Blanchard, coauthor of "The 1 Minute Manager," teams up with Colleen Barrett, President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines, to explore the management philosophies that have been the foundation of Southwest's success from their beginnings.
Presented in a dialogue format, the coauthors, discuss the merits of the 'Servant - Leader' vs. the 'Self-serving-Leader.' The concept actually turns out to be quite the opposite mentality of what the assumed ‘normal business mentality’ is. The key to success in business, it turns out, is not to focus primarily on building profits but on building your people. If you can develop your people into employees dedicated to quality effective service, then the profits will come as a natural end result.
Having had a good deal of interaction with Southwest Airlines, I appreciated seeing how the bits and pieces of their management philosophy that I have been exposed to over the years fit together into a cohesive philosophy.
Presented in a dialogue format, the coauthors, discuss the merits of the 'Servant - Leader' vs. the 'Self-serving-Leader.' The concept actually turns out to be quite the opposite mentality of what the assumed ‘normal business mentality’ is. The key to success in business, it turns out, is not to focus primarily on building profits but on building your people. If you can develop your people into employees dedicated to quality effective service, then the profits will come as a natural end result.
Having had a good deal of interaction with Southwest Airlines, I appreciated seeing how the bits and pieces of their management philosophy that I have been exposed to over the years fit together into a cohesive philosophy.
March 15, 2014
Quick read about servant leadership and how it is put in action at Southwest Airlines. A lot of it I had read/heard before, but a couple of points really stuck out - engaging your employees (and not just management) in helping to solve problems, and flipping the hierarchy of who to please first to have employees first. Please employees first, then customers, then stakeholders/investors. The philosophy is that if you take care of your people, they will do the right things to please the customers, who will then give you repeat business, thus pleasing the stakeholders. I'm totally on board with that.
I also enjoyed the discussion of the "triple bottom line" -- that is, Southwest strives to be the employer of choice, the provider of choice, and the investment of choice. Overall, some good things to think about when starting a company or trying to transform a company culture.
I also enjoyed the discussion of the "triple bottom line" -- that is, Southwest strives to be the employer of choice, the provider of choice, and the investment of choice. Overall, some good things to think about when starting a company or trying to transform a company culture.
April 19, 2012
Ken Blanchard continues to deliver down to earth advice to every manager & business owner everywhere. In this book we learn the philosophy and atmosphere of Southwest Airlines and its incredible journey from small local carrier to national airline superstar. I have no doubt that their success comes from the enthusiasm and love the leadership shows for it's people. I recommend this for anyone dealing with employees or running a company.
March 9, 2013
Simple to follow and understand, good book to read on a daily basis on how to improve the company. One important thing I learn is, if we want to achieve excellent customer service is that, not only do we have an excellent service outside, there has to be a need to also serve an excellent customer service in side the company. Then the company can really grow. Even that means, when the customer is in the wrong, there are times there's a need to defend the company staff.
April 14, 2015
Leadership expert Ken Blanchard interviews now Southwest Airlines President emeritus Colleen Barrett about the airlines culture and values. Probably the most successful airline in history, Barrett describes, though mostly storytelling, why this has been the case--which has been the result, in my view of one unwavering value they have over their competition and most other non-airline companies--servant leadership. Very fast read!
February 12, 2012
This book should be read by anyone in a supervisory capacity. Most CEOs could learn something from these two highly respected leaders in their respective fields. I thought that the way the information was presented was neat too. I enjoyed the conversation format that was used. Are you a supervisor or higher in you company? If so, READ IT!
January 23, 2013
This book reads like a recording of a conversation between Blanchard and Colleen Barrett. The principles in this book can be found in other Blanchard books but I enjoyed reading and hearing these stories about Southwest again. Southwest is doing things better than most other companies. There's much we can all learn from how Southwest operates.
May 28, 2013
This is a book all business owners should read. As businesses are failing because of attitude and lack of service, businesses like Southwest Airlines are succeeding because they realize treating the employees well means the customers are treated well.
Of course I also believe in the power that love provides in work and in life, so this adds to that.
Of course I also believe in the power that love provides in work and in life, so this adds to that.
June 22, 2011
I am a Ken Blanchard fan so after hearing about this book numerous times I finally decided to read it. The book contains lots of insightful ideas on how to make any organization a GREAT organization.
October 11, 2011
Written with Colleen Barrett, the President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines. What makes SW successful - focusing on Safety, Employee, Customer and then Stockholder.
Nice follow-up to his other books on Situational Leadership
Nice follow-up to his other books on Situational Leadership
October 11, 2013
Such a great book on servant leadership with so many practical examples from a leader of a company who truly "gets" it. There are a ton of bite-sized takeaways I will be mulling over in the weeks to come.
April 14, 2014
Got this as a kindle daily deal. It's a short read about an interview with Southwest Airlines exec Colleen Barrett. I found her career interesting, and the leadership advice was great. Near the end of the book it got a little religiously, which I don't appreciate in business books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews