Jonathan Whitehead’s Post

The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is hiring a Director of Programmes (Chief of Staff) to lead #transformativeinitiatives that positively impact #people and the #planet, in a meaningful way! This is more than just a #career, it's a powerful opportunity to drive global progress on #sustainability and #inclusion, embodying our cornerstone philosophy of Net Positive Hospitality. The chosen candidate will lead and manage the development and implementation of the Alliance’s #program and #fundraising initiatives. This role requires close #collaboration with various departments, members, and external partners and stakeholders to identify needs, create #strategic action plans and execute #initiatives that align with the organization’s mission, goals, and five-year strategic plan. Working closely with myself and fellow Alliance #leaders, as part of the #SeniorLeadershipTeam, the #DirectorofPrograms will play a pivotal role in propelling the #hospitalitysector towards a #regenerative and #responsible future, in which every #hotel has the skills and resources to give back to the #destination more than they take. To find out more and #apply, please visit https://lnkd.in/gtx9Z38U. #SustainabilityJobs #SustainabilityCareers #ProgramDirector #JobsWithPurpose #SustainabilityLeadership #CareersforChange

I believe change is the only constant in life, and embracing it has been the cornerstone of my career journey. From the moment I stepped into the world of Sales, customer service and hospitality management, I understood that adaptability and innovation would be key to my success. Even as i transition into the Customer Success Manager role, I know that i will definitely have to adapt to changes and things i might not be used to and that's ok. Whether it was managing operations at An6ix Apartments Hotel, guiding clients as a Realtor, or supporting leadership at TG Entertainment, I have always approached challenges with a mindset of continuous improvement and growth. Change often brings uncertainty, but it also presents opportunities for innovation and growth. At An6ix Apartments Hotel, I introduced new strategies that not only enhanced guest satisfaction but also significantly increased revenue. This experience taught me that by embracing change and thinking creatively, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. My time as a Realtor further reinforced the importance of adaptability. By building trust-based relationships and effectively communicating with clients, I was able to navigate the ever-evolving real estate market and achieve win-win outcomes. This experience highlighted the power of innovation in creating value for both clients and the organization. As I look to the future, I am excited to continue driving innovation and embracing change in my career. I believe that staying ahead of the curve and being open to new ideas is essential for personal and professional growth. Whether it's leveraging new technologies, exploring new markets, or finding creative solutions to complex problems, I am committed to pushing the boundaries and making a positive impact. Today, I encourage everyone to embrace change and drive innovation in their careers. Let’s transform challenges into opportunities, think creatively, and continuously strive for excellence. #CustomerSuccess #Innovation #EmbraceChange #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Adaptability #ContinuousImprovement #ProductManagement #ProjectManagement #CyberSecurity

The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, driven by changing consumer expectations, technological advancements, and shifting economic landscapes. As a leader in this dynamic sector, your company requires strategic guidance and operational excellence to stay ahead of the curve. Engaging a fractional Operations Leader offers a cost-effective solution to leverage high-level expertise and industry insights without the long-term commitment of a full-time executive. The fractional Operations Leader will be engaged on a flexible basis, allowing your company to scale the level of involvement according to your current needs. This model offers the advantage of accessing top-tier talent without the overhead costs associated with a full-time executive. This is also a great option if you are looking to maintain momentum during talent search should you find your senior operations role vacant. The investment for engaging a fractional Operations Leader will be customized based on the scope of work and the time commitment required. If this sounds like a viable solution for your company, I would love to connect to align on your specific needs and goals. Let's chat. https://lnkd.in/dV3GF3hZ #leedshospitalitygroup #operations #fractional #operationsleader #hotels #hotelsandresorts #hospitality

It’s your job to connect the dots between your past and future role. Hiring Managers / recruiters won’t always see the link between your past experience and the role you’re aiming for - but you can make it clear. Take this example of a past client: ✅ Hospitality manager, managing day-to-day operations ✅ Hotel undergoes a major renovation ✅ Suddenly overseeing the entire renovation project alongside her usual duties ❓ The challenge: How do you position this as project management experience? Here’s how we approached it: Developed and managed a detailed project schedule for a hotel renovation, coordinating cross-functional teams and delivering the project 1 week ahead of schedule and within budget. Although this wasn’t her typical role, we highlighted the project as one of her key achievements, showcasing the impact and measurable results she delivered rather than just her routine tasks. ❌ Don’t just say “managed a busy hotel.” ✅ Look closely at the job description - identify the relevant keywords like “project schedule,” “timeline,” “budget,” as well as project outcomes like “within budget” and “on time” ✅ Weave those terms into your experience and emphasise the measurable results that hiring managers / recruiters want to see. Why it works: Hiring managers / Recruiters are looking for specific skills and proven outcomes. Speak their language, connect the dots, and make the link obvious.

Do you want to elevate your career in hospitality management? It took me a while, but I learned to show interest in others before expecting them to take an interest in me. Here’s what I did to turn things around and what you can do, too: Listen Actively When your team members talk, really listen. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak. Ask questions that show you care about their input and concerns. Recognize Their Efforts People crave recognition. Make it a habit to acknowledge achievements, no matter how small. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Invest in Their Growth Show that you care about their professional development. Offer opportunities for training and upskilling. Training doesn’t have to be in a classroom. It can be handling a project or an item on your to-do list that will foster growth. Be Available Your team should feel that they can approach you anytime. Put into practice what the open door policy is meant for. Celebrate Milestones Celebrate milestones with your team. Tough conversations with internal/external guests, project completions, stressful assignments- celebrate them all! Have a running list so you don’t forget to mention one. By taking an interest in your team, you create a work environment where everyone feels valued. At some point in time, they start to take an interest in you, too and will have your back when you need it the most. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes.

12 Essential Skills for Hospitality Management Professionals for 2025 As we move towards 2025, the hospitality industry continues to evolve, requiring professionals to adapt and grow with the changing landscape. Here are 12 essential skills that every hospitality management professional should cultivate to thrive in the years ahead: 1. Adaptive Thinking: The ability to swiftly adjust to changing priorities and challenges is crucial in a dynamic environment. 2. Emotional Intelligence: Effectively managing emotions to build stronger workplace relationships and enhance guest interactions. 3. Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others to create meaningful and memorable connections. 4. Critical Thinking: Employing logic and creativity to solve complex problems and make informed decisions. 5. Effective Communication: Clearly conveying ideas to engage, inspire, and lead teams effectively. 6. Time Management: Prioritizing key tasks to maximize productivity and ensure seamless operations. 7. Courageous Conversations: Addressing difficult topics with honesty and respect to foster a healthy work environment. 8. Anti-Fragility: Embracing challenges and adversity to grow stronger and more resilient. 9. Data Analysis: Interpreting data to make smart, informed decisions that drive business success. 10. Collaboration Skills: Working harmoniously with diverse teams and leveraging different perspectives. 11. Continuous Learning: Committing to lifelong learning to stay competitive and relevant in the industry. 12. Innovation Mindset: Thinking beyond the norm to drive unique solutions and stay ahead of the curve. These skills are not just buzzwords; they are the foundation for a successful career in hospitality management. Embrace these competencies to lead your team and delight your guests in an ever-changing industry. Feel free to like, comment, or share this post, and don't forget to tag me or follow me for more insightful and informative posts. Thank you. #HospitalityManagement #FutureSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Innovation #CustomerExperience #EmotionalIntelligence #CriticalThinking #Teamwork #ContinuousLearning #Adaptability #Resilience #DataDriven #CareerGrowth #HospitalityTrends

I've recently been speaking a lot about my background (hello interviews!) and it has made me more and more grateful for my roots in hospitality, even when my career has led me to Project Management. Having a degree in hospitality, which fosters a deep focus on customer success, has armed me with great transferable skills to the operations world and the customer success field. My journey from hospitality to pm/ops has taught me that quite a few skills are more transferable than you might think! 🏨➡️📊 Some key skills that have translated perfectly: Customer service → Stakeholder management Event planning → Project scheduling Crisis management → Risk mitigation Multitasking in a fast-paced environment → Managing multiple project streams Team coordination in hotels → Cross-functional team leadership Seasonal planning → Long-term project strategizing I honestly could go on for awhile!! So many connections. I am grateful for the background I have, it has supported my career in so many ways. Anyone else have an unconventional start to their career? What unexpected skills have you brought to your current role? #CareerTransition #ProjectManagement

8 Things Successful Hospitality Managers Do Differently .. #Part_1 Over the years I have worked with and for many Successful Hospitality Managers and you would be surprised how much they have in common with each other. They do not all focus on each of the following issues; but most of them focus upon the majority of them at some time during their working lives: 1. They create and pursue S.M.A.R.T. goals. Successful people are objective. They have realistic targets in mind. They know what they are looking for and why they are fighting for it. Successful people create and pursue goals which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. With these goals in mind they avoid the trap of continuously trying to make things perfect. 2. They are able to take decisive and immediate action. Sadly, very few people ever achieve their goals because they are unable to take the action that is required; they simply ‘get by’. There’s a huge difference between knowing how to do something and actually doing it. Knowledge and intelligence are both useless without action. Remember the Real World rewards people who get things done – not Perfectionists. 3. They focus on being productive, not being busy. So many people use the phrase “work smarter, not harder,”; but like most clichés, there’s a great deal of truth to it, and few people actually adhere to it - the busy outnumber the productive by a wide margin. Busy people are rushing all over the place, and running late half of the time. 4. They are able to make logical, informed decisions. Although emotional ‘gut instincts’ are effective in certain fleeting situations, when it comes to generating long-term, sustained growth in any area of life, emotional decisions often lead a person astray. Slow down and think things through before you make any important decisions. 5. They are able to work outside of their comfort zone. The number one thing I persistently see holding people back is their own reluctance to accept an opportunity simply because they don’t think they’re ready. The truth is nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises because most great opportunities in life force us to grow emotionally and intellectually. Opportunities typically force us to stretch ourselves and out of our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first. And when we don’t feel comfortable, we don’t feel ready. 6. They keep things simple. Today - where information moves at the speed of light - the solution is to simplify. If you’re trying to make a decision about something in your life, don’t waste all your time evaluating every last detail of every possible option. I am not saying you should not measure performance; but do not get bogged down in it. Choose something that you think will work and give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, learn what you can from the experience, choose something else and keep pressing forward.

Here's a harsh truth about hotel management: You're losing your best staff because you're managing them wrong. And it's costing you more than you think. The numbers are shocking: 🤯 70% turnover rate in hospitality 🤯 £5,000 average cost per replacement 🤯 3 months to fully train new staff 🤯 30% productivity loss during transition After managing multiple properties, I've discovered: The problem isn't the industry. It's the approach. Here's what most hotels do: ❌ Focus on quick hiring ❌ Minimal training ❌ Basic benefits ❌ React to problems Here's what actually works: 1️⃣ Invest in Growth ➥ Clear career paths ➥ Cross-training opportunities ➥ Leadership development ➥ Skill certification programs 2️⃣ Create Community ➥ Team recognition systems ➥ Inter-hotel exchanges ➥ Staff accommodation benefits ➥ Family-friendly policies 3️⃣ Build Trust ➥ Open-door management ➥ Regular feedback sessions ➥ Transparent promotion criteria ➥ Fair scheduling practices The results? 📈 92% staff retention 📈 Higher guest satisfaction 📈 Reduced training costs 📈 Improved team morale Remember: Your people are your biggest asset. Want to transform your team retention? Get in touch!