Southwest Airlines Goes All Out for Halloween: Tom and Renee Earned a Standing Ovation

Three tired travelers raced to gate 43 at Houston Hobby Airport, hoping to fly home on standby. Two Southwest Airline Gate Agents, Renee and Tom, decked out in festive T-Shirts quickly and efficiently found three open seats and "cackled" gleefully, knowing they had just won our hearts with great Customer Service!

Thanks to skycap, Ozzie, and flying Business Select (great deal! Only costing a few dollars more) we were able to zip through security, catch an earlier flight and arrive home an hour and a half early! Now that’s Spooky Spectacular Service!

Every Halloween SWA goes all out with gate agents decorating gates and wearing really creative costumes on Halloween. Check out the haunted forest and Halloween space aliens at two gates at Hobby. They really know how to keep you laughing and entertained while flying safely on SWA. Great job by a great team!

The Calling of a Servant’s Heart

For most police officers or fire fighters their badge number is something they will always remember and cherish.  Organizations assign numerous employee or payroll numbers, but none hold the significance of a badge number.  In most cases it is a connotation of seniority; or a reminder for the new officer the lack thereof.  Regardless, the badge number represents far more than a mere personal identifier.

Officer Rutherford

Officer Wes Rutherford, one of two Personnel Officers of the Carrollton Police Department, plays many roles in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new officers. He performs the technical aspect of assigning badge numbers to new officers.  Numbers are sequentially assigned upon hire.  During 2010 the Department crossed the threshold into the 900 series of badge numbers.  Wes demonstrated foresight when he realized that badge number 911 would have the potential to be much more symbolic beyond the new officer to whom it would be assigned.  As he imagined what it would be like to wear Badge 911, Wes realized that it was an opportunity to uniquely honor the fallen police, fire, and other first responders of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City.

Wes immediately presented his case to the Chief of Police to not issue Badge 911.  Instead, the badge would be retired – never to be worn by a Carrollton Police Officer – in memory of those who gave their lives in service to others on that unforgettable day.  Chief Rex Redden recognized this was an excellent opportunity to, “honor the first responders who lost their lives during the response to 9-11 and to serve as a reminder to future officers that this job requires sacrifices, possibly even the ultimate one in the service of our community.”

Badge 911

Wes quietly ordered a beautiful display box and plaque built for the badge.  There was no pomp and circumstance to retire the badge.  Wes simply carried the display box into the Carrollton Police Department and personnel began to see it.  Not only were officers amazed at the beauty of both the display and the gesture, but undoubtedly it helped them to think about the badge they wear.  It is a reminder they have chosen to be one of the most visible servants of the community.  They also realize that while it is unlikely, they may be called someday to run towards certain death while others are running away.  Just like retired Badge 911 that is proudly displayed in the Carrollton Police Department lobby, each officer’s badge number stands a symbol of a servant’s heart that has guided them to their calling.  

What is your servant’s heart telling you?

Please feel free to stop by the Carrollton Police Department, located at 2025 E. Jackson Road, Carrollton, Texas to see Badge 911 proudly displayed.  While you are there, thank Officer Rutherford for reminding the officers of the Carrollton Police Department of exactly what it means to put on that badge each and every day. 

- Lt. Matt Kosec

Energy Memories and the State Fair of Texas

One of my favorite learning activities we do in our You Don't Have to Go Home from Work Exhausted! workshop is to recall favorite moments in your life and use these as reference points to create new energy. Sometimes, Ann will lead participants in an imaging exercise recalling favorite ways we played as children; other times we will talk about fun things you can do in 2-5 minutes, on weekday evenings, while commuting, or making a mini-vacation out of every weekend. And what is really fun is to combine these two concepts and do something now as an energy break that was fun for you as a kid.

During October, one of my favorite memories from childhood was getting a day off from school, riding the bus, and going to the State Fair of Texas. My mom grew up in the neighborhood around Fair Park. My Dad's favorite moment was traveling to the State Fair from Gatesville, Texas during the Centennial and tasting a hamburger for the first time (at 9:00 AM in the morning!). While in elementary school, I entered some oil paintings in the Arts and Crafts Competition and won a giant blue ribbon. And, then...of course...there is the decadent food...Fletcher's Corny Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Jack's French Fries, Turkey Legs, and anything and everything that can be fried. This year’s specialties include fried s’mores, fried Fritos pie, and fried margaritas...just to name a few.

This will be the first year that we head out to the fair without my mom.  In previous years, we would make a short visit of a few hours to relive a few memories. We would find a great place to sit and do some people watching, taste a few decadent treats, see the new car prototypes, look at the proud winners of the jelly and preserve competition, and watch kiddos try to win a stuffed animal on the Midway. This was one of our favorite family times of the year... reliving a few memories for two generations of childhood fun.

Reliving favorite memories works.  Although there may be a brief moment of sadness this year, the great times we had together will bring joy and energy to our lives.  One of the wonderful advantages of having moved downtown is that we can easily take the train to the fairgrounds.  While we will likely pass up the fried beer this year, it is very likely that we will split a funnel cake in someone’s honor!

- Duane Trammell

Our Last Conversation With Someone

When we learn that someone close to us has just lost a parent, one can struggle to know what to do or say. There are all the obvious things, “I’m so sorry. How can I help? Please go be with your family. We will cover for you at work.” And of course, going to be with the friend during the family evening and at the funeral is an appreciated way to support.
Recently, I was visiting a new client, Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc. in Houston, and at dinner the COO suddenly glanced down at his iPhone and shared the news that a Partner had just lost her mother.

The next day was Partner Day and a special Partner meeting.  It was obvious that many things were being done quietly to support the Partner and her family but then a very inspiring thing happened. Mike Mulcahy, the COO, talked about the sudden loss and how important it is that we take time to stay current with our loved ones. He invited each of us to go to our office over lunch and call our parents or another person special to us to tell them how much we appreciate and love them or whatever we would want them to know if this were our last  conversation.
    
People scattered to their offices over lunch and as the meeting reconvened, John Montgomery, chairman and founder, asked for stories. Who did we call? Would we like to share? How many reached a parent? Left a message?
   
The stories shared were very moving as several told about reaching an elderly parent or grandparent to say how much they appreciated years of sacrifice and support.  One person mentioned how easy it is to stay busy and even connected yet we may not say the things we would want to have said if this were our last conversation in this lifetime.
    
I was blown away that a financial management firm had such inspiring values, putting families first.
   
It’s one thing to say we believe in putting families first.  It is another to see a company whose behavior is truly aligned with these values.
“Love is the only emotion known to enhance intelligence.”
Humberto Maturano – Chilean biologist & philosopher

“Test for servant leadership…Do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served,     become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servant?      And what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or, at least, will they not     be further deprived?”