Oh yessiree.
And here I thought Gregg Saretsky was just another pretty airline face. The man has depth, Pumpkins. Deepness. Profundity. He recently gave the National Post an interview on WestJet’s growing pains that was so clear and straightforward, I almost blushed. To paraphrase: “Union shmunion. If the business isn’t making money, we’re all smoked.”
But the kicker was the closer. When asked if the shows of heartfelt culture such as the Christmas gift giveaway is just make-up hiding other issues, Gregg posited one of the most undeniable truths of the human condition, that “everyone feels better when their face is made up.” Could it be? Smart and sensitive? It’s not often you find that package in a CEO. (And, as you know, I do like a nice package. Especially at Christmastime.) Not only that, the context in which it was said was such a badda bing, badda boom moment, that, for a man his size, he clearly has a very well developed funny bone. Who knew?
And, as I like to save the best for last, the other dahrling leader I salute in this 4th quarter, is Jean-Marc Eustache (Sorry, Gregoire. Il est French.). The man has single-handedly torn Transat from the gaping jaws of doom.(Not the same as the open jaws of doom. Trust me.) I picture him as a grizzled warrior, his compensation package neatly tucked into a blue loincloth, panting over his prize. Ooh … Oh dear, pardonnez moi for gushing. My profit spot has a mind of its own.
