I recently flew to New York on the brand spanking new Bay Area-based airline, Virgin America. Virgin is known for its disruptive nature, finding its way into industries in which service has become an afterthought for existing players and winning the hearts of consumers over with their consumer-centric brands and experiences.

I’ve seen firsthand, as an employee and and as a consultant, the impacts companies have on the lives of their employees, either through lack of work/life balance, or even failing to provide employees with the challenges and opportunities that will fuel their personal development and build their self-worth. When speaking with the pilot of the Virgin America aircraft, you could tell that Virgin was one of those companies that makes employees’ lives better, when they sign up to work for the company. Pilots’ already have pretty great jobs and benefits, but this VA pilot raved about Virgin. According to him, at Virgin everyone has the autonomy to call the shots that will make customers’ experiences better. This is important, perhaps more important than any other aspect that we might consider when offered a job (including pay and benefits).

While the rest of the corporate world may be watching Google for employee best practices, perhaps they should take note of Virgin, looking beyond the novelties of free food and on washers and dryers on campus.