Hotel Executives Share Leadership and Culture-Building Strategies – CoStar
Off-Site Strategizing and Establishing a Strong, Genuine Culture Among Their Tips
Executives in the hotel industry say setting time aside to strategize in off-site locations and building a culture rooted in integrity are important pillars in leadership.
Hotel company CEOs spoke at the “Leading With Purpose” panel at the 2022 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, giving their insights on what it takes to be a strong leader and the decisions that go into being one.
While its easy to assume executives are regularly thinking about strategies for improving their businesses, panelists said they must also set time aside to think of how to get their employees on the same page.
Jonathan Stanner, Summit Hotel Properties president and CEO, said he has tried to foster a culture around making thoughtful efforts at strategizing from top to bottom. He said he wants his team to think about innovating and creating transformative change.
The best method to create that change comes via isolation, Stanner said. The old notion that getting a bunch of smart people together in a room to brainstorm is the optimal way to get results is wrong.
Stanner said he personally prefers to think about strategizing while by himself on a walk or on a car ride with no phone in sight to distract him. While group meetings are still important to talk through the strengths and weaknesses of ideas, Stanner said he’s a big proponent for taking a step back and thinking outside of the conference room.
“There’s value in carving out specific time to be present and specifically think about some of these big-picture strategies,” Stanner said.
Rockbridge CEO Jim Merkel and Aimbridge Hospitality President and CEO Michael Deitemeyer agreed that an important part in developing strategies is to go off-site to narrow the focus and create a more comfortable environment.
Merkel said he sets aside one day per month as “strategic days” in which the company goes out of the office and employees are split into teams to think strategically. He said this takes the pressure off employees worrying about their workload and creates a space that people feel empowered to use as intended.
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