Section Five
For example, at Southwest Airlines, there is low tolerance
for elitism. As the Vice President for People has explained:
“Arrogant people will not fit in. Nor will someone who is really
proud of his or her title.”^59 The company’s executives do not
have big offices, and they provide their home telephone
numbers for employees. Indeed, many of the firm’s executives
have worked their way up from the ranks. In addition,
Southwest’s reputation for casual attire is legendary.^60 At
Chaparral Steel, another company known for managerial
excellence and firm performance, there is no reserved parking
for anyone, and casual attire is the norm except when there is
a meeting with customers. At Intel Corporation, the CEO has a
9 × 12-foot cubicle for an office described as follows:
WHAT YOU SEE: In true Silicon Valley tradition, a
cubicle only slightly larger than Dilbert’s. Steel-
framed partitions are covered in gray fabric, desk
and tabletops are gray Formica, bookcases and
cabinets are gray plastic with mauve upholstery.
At the doorless entryway, a gray plastic name
plate reads “C. Barrett.”^61