Captain Terry “Moose” Millard passed away on February 3, 2009. While I knew that over 18 years of fighting kidney cancer had worn his body out, I wasn’t ready for his flight into the next life. I was losing a deep friendship that was spiritually, intellectually and emotionally enriching. A fog slipped into my consciousness, and I began to grieve in a mindless, aimless manner.
Later that week Moose’s wife Allene told me that his daughter Lisa was sitting at her father’s desk thumbing through Champs and Chumps when she came to page 95:
The successful CHUMP’S epitaph: “He always made budget.”
The successful CHAMP’S epitaph: “People loved working for him.”
Lisa looked up and exclaimed, “That’s my dad!”
She’s right. While his skill as a pilot leader and a builder of organizational culture positively impacted Southwest Airline’s (and other’s) bottom line, we remember Moose mostly because people wanted to work with him. I’d like to share just a few of the things Moose taught us that made us want to join his team.
Moose said, “Mean people suck.” We always knew that, but putting it into words released a flood of emotional baggage that had weighed us down. The freedom to be real about painful people at work drew us to Moose.
Moose said, “Everyone has a contribution to make.” And he generally found it. He reminded us to look for the good in even the weakest member of the group. And when he included them we knew that we were included as well.
Moose said, “Have fun at work.” The planned and spontaneous moments of joy and laughter do become the lubricating oil that smoothes the difficult challenges at work, allowing them not only to be endured but to be embraced. On my desk is a photo of Moose and me blowing bubbles. Those two middle aged men—one balding, the other graying—sending childhood delights into the air reminds me daily not to take myself too seriously.
Moose said, “A positive approach to the future leads to success.” We learned that when our world view was positive, we could identify the opportunities in front of us. We developed the ability to see and take steps toward growth because we expected them to be there.
And, at the close of every presentation, Moose said, “Remember, always, always, always, fly Southwest!”
We will miss Moose and honor him best by being the people with whom others love to work.
