One of my favorite models of organization democracy is Southwest Airlines. For over thirty years, Southwest has defied the gravity of the airline industry because of its democratic workplace, which has led it to post a perfect record of profitability each year. Sure, they have a great business model, etc., but the bottomline is if you don’t have an ability to tap your employees “reservoir of talent” (as Ricardo Semler puts it) to grow and sustain the business, you have nothing. But Southwest has it all, largely due to the amazing talents of Rita Bailey, former director of Southwest Airlines University and now CEO of QVF Partners in Dallas, Texas.

For 25 years, Rita Bailey helped define and develop Southwest Airlines into one of the most successful and profitable democratic companies in the world. Rita also gave an amazing speech at the WorldBlu Forum on the four “A’s” of freedom-centered leadership.

I spoke with Rita today and she accepted my invitation to join the WorldBlu Global Advisory Group comprised of thought-leaders like Bill Taylor, Wendy Lucas-Bull, Fredo Arias-King and others who believe in, support, or operate their companies using organizational democracy and freedom-centered leadership.

Rita expresses such beauty, grace, and poise. It’s truly an honor to have her join the WorldBlu team. I can’t wait to learn from her. Welcome to WorldBlu, Rita!