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How the former CEO of Boeing and Ford used timeless values to drive extraordinary success
Alan Mulally is widely celebrated as one of the greatest leaders of his generation. From revolutionizing the aviation industry as the mastermind behind the Boeing 777 to saving Ford from the brink of bankruptcy, his career is a masterclass in leadership and resilience. Yet, Mulally credits his success not to cutting-edge strategies or aggressive corporate tactics, but to timeless principles of love, humility, and trust.
Ranked third on Fortune magazine’s 2014 World’s Greatest Leaders list—right after Pope Francis—Mulally’s approach to leadership offers profound lessons for anyone aspiring to create lasting impact in business and beyond.
1. Lead with Love, Humility, and Service
For Mulally, leadership begins with the heart. His mantra? “Love ‘em up!” This principle, learned from his parents—his mother emphasizing love, his father teaching humility and service—became the cornerstone of his leadership style.
In his corporate life, Mulally was known for spreading positivity, often writing handwritten notes with hearts to celebrate his team’s victories. He believed that cynicism had no place in the workplace, even in high-stakes environments like Boeing and Ford.
This focus on human connection underscores the importance of timeless values in navigating today’s complexities—be it disruptive technologies, economic uncertainty, or societal polarization. “The bumpier things are,” Mulally observed, “the more we need principled leadership, trust, and character.”
2. Create a Safe Space for Transparency
Mulally’s leadership philosophy also emphasized the importance of transparency and constructive problem-solving. During his time at Ford, he instituted weekly meetings where team members categorized tasks using green, yellow, and red markers:
Green: On track.
Yellow: Issues identified, solutions in progress.
Red: Problems without a solution.
By encouraging team members to openly share red issues without fear of judgment, Mulally fostered a culture of trust and collaboration. “Expect the unexpected, and expect to deal with it, positively,” he would often say.
This approach empowered his teams to tackle challenges head-on, building trust and improving performance over time.
3. Foster Respect and Eliminate Negativity
Mulally understood that a culture of respect is non-negotiable. He discouraged sarcasm and workplace negativity, recognizing their potential to undermine trust and collaboration. Public praise and private, constructive feedback were his guiding principles.
When faced with disrespectful behavior, Mulally didn’t hesitate to intervene, setting an example for others. His ability to create a safe and supportive environment helped his teams synergize and achieve results that exceeded expectations.
4. Live Authentically Across All Areas of Life
One of Mulally’s most striking qualities is his commitment to authenticity. He lived by Habit 7 of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Sharpen the Saw. This involved maintaining a balance between his professional and personal life.
Mulally incorporated work habits into his family life, hosting “family meetings” over laundry where each member previewed their week. He ensured that his family’s important moments were blocked into his calendar, demonstrating that prioritizing personal relationships enhances professional effectiveness.
The Mulally Blueprint: Leading with Heart and Principle
Alan Mulally’s career serves as a powerful reminder that the best leadership practices are often rooted in simplicity. Trust, love, humility, and respect may seem like soft skills in the cutthroat corporate world, but they are the foundation for enduring success.
By creating cultures of transparency, collaboration, and care, Mulally transformed Ford and Boeing into powerhouses of innovation and profitability. His leadership principles continue to inspire and prove that leading with the heart is not just idealistic—it’s highly effective.
As we navigate the challenges of modern business, Mulally’s lessons remind us to look inward, lean on enduring values, and never underestimate the power of love in leadership.
