Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This is an awesome book. It is easy to read and I could not put it down.



My wife, friends and several of my business associates have also read it. Although each has a different level of business knowledge and interest, it appealed to everyone. We all enjoyed reading it and found it meaningful in different ways.



The book effectively gives important lessons for a company to stay healthy. The author provides unvarnished information and recommendations. He does not gloss over any facts. His straightforward, no-nonsense manner is very refreshing.



As a businessperson, I found the book quite meaningful in many ways - particularly in the well-documented lessons on leadership.



In addition, my wife pointed out that the book is written so that even a non-business person can clearly understand it. For example, her eyes were opened to the job of a Board of Directors and what they are supposed to do in running a company.



This book would make a great gift for a businessperson, a student or anyone who likes a good story.

This is the best business book I have read. It is also one of the best human interest stories I have read.

The author's crisp writing style and reader-friendly formatting make this book an easy read, although his analysis, diagnosis and recommendations are quite sophisticated.

The writer is a rare combination of a big league strategist who also has his feet in the real world. He intertwines facts, strategy and practical tactics in a remarkable way.

Nolan has clearly done considerable research and the results show in the book. The author brings Delta's success, decline and path to bankruptcy alive for the reader. The lessons he provides, drawing on the Delta case history, will be valuable to any leader - or follower.

The book is so engaging I had difficulty putting it down, so I read it in one sitting.

What an awesome book. I am a Delta employee with 18+ years and this is the best book I have read regarding my company. Although the Leadership would have us "little people" believe Delta is in bankruptcy because of us, this book places the Responsibility right where it belongs, with the CEO and Board of Directors. Thank you Mr. Nolan for disclosing the real facts! Those of us on the inside can relate to your book. It should be required reading, but instead, management at Delta has a prepared script to refute the truth disclosed in the book.

While telling the fascinating story of Delta's rise and fall, the author effectively and poignantly presents the management lessons to learn (or relearn) from the story. The many valuable lessons include integrity, responsibility, leading by example, teamwork, and knowledge of the customer. This book should be required reading for every MBA student in America.

In describing the "rise and fall" of Delta Airlines, the writer did a great service to the people of Delta and honored their life's work without resorting to "trashing" the management in the process. His treatment of all the management was very even-handed constructive criticism. I have seldom seen a writer do both so well. In considering this as a case study for leadership, he adds practical solutions that can still be implemented as Delta faces its uncertain future.

With a sharp eye and a keen analytical pen, Harry Nolan holds up a chronological mirror for the reader so we can see the step-by-step erosion of this once-fine company. It's a shame that Delta didn't hire advisors with his insight when the cracks in the company's armor started to appear. Acknowledging current CEO Gerald Grinstein's efforts now to 'row the boat ashore', Nolan does not cut him any slack for his past omissions/commissions as a member of this infamous Board of Directors. WHERE WAS THE BOARD? is a question asked often throughout the book. This book should be required reading for every Director, present and future, of every company, to witness what can occur when the Board relinquishes its responsibilities as Delta's Board did. A gripping story...and it's non-fiction too!

This is a great story of turning around a big company, and the resistance encountered at all levels. Enjoyable read for an executive in similar situation.