Airline Without A Pilot - Leadership Lessons/Inside Story of Delta's Success, Decline and Bankruptcy [Paperback]

Harry L. Nolan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0977207609 | ISBN-13: 978-0977207602

The no holds barred, inside story of Delta's success, decline and path to bankruptcy...the lessons learned...and what it needs to do to take off again. It gives fresh answers to the often asked question,"What happened to Delta?" This book goes behind the incessant news stories for unique, never before published facts and insights into a classic success story and tragedy. It is based on extensive research, including behind-the-scenes information from 59 members of the "Delta family", the author's in-depth personal knowledge as a member of that family, and his broad experience as a business executive and management consultant. While giving poignant examples from many companies, Delta Air Lines is the book's poster child of a Board of Directors' and a leader's dramatic effects on tens of thousands of people. The book examines the leadership decisions by each of Delta's 7 CEO's and its Board of Directors and then highlights the decisions that built a highly profitable company for decades and those that have brought it to bankruptcy. The book is not the typical trip down 'memory lane', the template of many books about a corporation. Nor is it like the dozens of books today that focus on the airline industry. Instead, it is about leadership. There are profound and valuable lessons in this book for any leader, whatever the future brings for Delta. It guides them to answers to the questions, "What lessons can I learn from Delta to be more successful?" and "What can I learn from Delta to make sure it doesn't happen to my organization?". It is also about a remarkable group of people. As the book shows, Delta employees and retirees have been shining examples of commitment to its heritage - Service and Hospitality From The Heart - even when constrained by ineffective leaders. Part of the tragedy is the price they are now paying and will be paying for that ineffective leadership. The book is co-dedicated to the thousands of Delta employees and retirees who love what Delta once was and hope the current leaders have what it takes to restore it. This book is a fascinating inside look at a major U.S. corporation from both a business and a human perspective.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"..refreshingly candid and unrestrained." "..story of human drama and shocking corporate malfeasance." "..advice for working with consultants is particularly astute." -- Bookwire (December, 2005)

From the Publisher

Reader feedback shows that the book appeals strongly to a broad array of readers – including CEOs, executives, business students, and anyone who loves a good story.

Naturally, it appeals to aviation buffs along with all those interested in Delta.

Readers are saying the book engages them quickly and, once involved in the book, they want to continue reading. Many report reading it in one or two sittings; some report getting up in the middle of the night to finish it.

A consistent comment has been that the book will be an excellent case study for use in a graduate business school, undergraduate course or an internal company program on leadership and management.

This book makes a special holiday or other gift for a boss; fellow executive; business student; aviation buff; Delta or other airline employee or retiree; any reader who appreciates a good story in a well-written book.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Targetmark Books (Management Advisory Services) (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977207609
• ISBN-13: 978-0977207602
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Aviation > Commercial

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author GET'S IT in `spot on', absorbing case study of Delta and its management, November 10, 2005

By 

Aileron - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airline Without A Pilot - Leadership Lessons/Inside Story of Delta's Success, Decline and Bankruptcy (Paperback)

As a current Delta Air Lines captain with many years invested with the company, I want to express my great appreciation for the book Airline Without a Pilot.

I have long maintained that the story of Delta would be a model case study for any business school wanting to demonstrate how NOT to run a business, with a particular emphasis on the difference between "management" and "leadership". The book effectively does this and is "spot on" in so many areas, particularly in the discussion of the management/employee relationship necessary in a service industry. In the military, we used to say, "Take care of your troops, and they'll take care of you."

Sadly, I have learned that all too often this adage does not transfer into the business world. This does seem strange, since everywhere that philosophy is tried, it meets with incredible success. Again, my experience with the "Harvard MBA's" (Leo Mullin, Michelle Burns, et. al.) has been that they merely learned how to transfer company assets into their pockets and then move on. The book also confirmed my negative instincts about many in the "consulting" industry, but the author's common-sense approaches truly bring a breath of fresh air into those discussions.

I was absorbed as I progressed through the book (read in 1 evening), and I could not help but keep repeating to myself, "This guy GETS IT!" The author effectively recorded and discussed so many events that have been churning in my mind (and stomach) for so long, but had thus far evaded public scrutiny. My sincere hope is that this book will effectively shine a very bright light on the real causes for Delta's demise. My only (constructive!) criticism is that I wish that the author had dealt with Mr. Grinstein's ultimate responsibility and subsequent lack of accountability for his abdication of his duties for so many years as strongly as he did with Mr. Mullin's.

I would like to think that our current "management" will take to heart the suggestions offered in the book's closing chapter.

I wish the author much success with the book, and should he make the "book-signing" circuit, I hope to be first in line to shake his hand. I offer my heart-felt thanks and a commendation for a job well done.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read! Unique leadership perspective with practical solutions for any business to build on its strengths., November 14, 2005

By 

Former Delta Executive (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airline Without A Pilot - Leadership Lessons/Inside Story of Delta's Success, Decline and Bankruptcy (Hardcover)

I was an executive at Delta during the pre-bankruptcy era, so I have the benefit of inside knowledge and perspective. Nolan's book is right on target in terms of facts, observations, analysis and recommendations.

However, this is not just a story about another bankrupt airline. Instead, it really is about principal lessons of leadership as a value enhancer or destroyer. These lessons, when properly applied, lead to long-term sustainable growth for the company and secure retirements for employees. When the lessons are ignored or violated, they lead you straight to the bankruptcy court.

Although this book is a fine human interest and business story, it is very unique. The author, Nolan, not only describes how Delta got itself into trouble, but also shows them a way out. He points out that a company's long-term strategic and financial success is dependent on selection of competent business leaders who understand how to plan for the unexpected, leverage and respect the value of human capital and respond to business challenges.

Read this book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Drucker type writing style - easy to read, valuable information with key management points expressed succinctly, January 13, 2006

By 

Life After the Corporate World (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airline Without A Pilot - Leadership Lessons/Inside Story of Delta's Success, Decline and Bankruptcy (Paperback)

The book is an easy read. It is well organized and flows logically. In addition, it has slightly larger type with plenty of white space for improved readability.

The author writes in a style similar to Peter Drucker, one of my favorite business writers. He expresses valuable key management points in a succinct, easy to understand way.

The author brings his vast consulting experience together to very effectively relate to the issues that Delta faced. His perspective is how Delta's leaders - 7 CEOs and their Board - dealt with those issues and the leadership lessons we can all learn from the decisions of those leaders.

From this leadership perspective, he chronicles the company history, starting with C.E. Woolman, founder of Delta and a great leader during the company's early decades. Nolan then graphically shows how the roots and a culture that caused a growing company to flourish and thrive were damaged or abandoned by later leaders, ultimately leading Delta into bankruptcy.

The points made regarding the agenda of some management consultants are right on target. They deserve serious consideration by any CEO, Board or executive.

The book is a valuable, textbook case study in how a great company can go awry when the leaders lose focus and depart from the values and culture that made it great.