"If management is distant, up in the clouds, people just wait for orders. I want my people to think for themselves." Nishimatsu told CBS News. He runs the world's tenth largest airline, but his annual salary is a mere $90,000. This is very little compared to other CEO's in his position, managing airlines. In fact, it is less than what his pilots earn!
Haruka does not just talk the talk, he also walks the walk. When the economic crisis hit his airline, he was forced to cut the salaries of his employees. But he did not just cut the salaries of the workers; he also cut his own salary! He also slashed all his own corporate perks. How many other CEOs will be willing to do the same?
He takes the bus to work and does not have a fancy office. His desk is in an open-plan office alongside those of his employees. During lunchtime he queues in the cafeteria for his lunch and eats it sitting alongside all the other employees in the lunch hall.
