Hoteliers: Take This Challenge!

Hoteliers really look good. Well dressed, well groomed. Sometimes getting featured in the third-page stories, well networked and reasonably well paid too.

But in most cases it stops there.

How many George C. Boldt can we meet now in you guys?

In fact, have you ever heard of this name: George C. Boldt? Google it.

I have these questions to the hoteliers as I am increasingly seeing people growing in ranks by virtue of their experience in their roles but lacking the shine of leadership to inspire and look up to. There is a gradual growth, F&B Manager or Front Office Manager becoming Executive Assistant Manager or an Operations Manager, clock two years following and implementing the templates of their predecessors, and then become the Resident Manager or General Manager. The growth is by time, but not by virtues and qualities of leadership and I thought of holding this mirror up for the hoteliers to look at, and see what you are seeing.

• When was the last time you read a book of international ranking, cover to cover, fiction, non-fiction, porn, theology - whatever?
• What are your favourite TEDTalks? Who else do you listen to - for inspiration? Sir Ken Robinson, Anthony Robbins, who? Or you don't at all?
• What is one best innovative idea that you – not your corporate office – launched (not that you changed the angle of flower vase in the lobby by 5.8 degree)?
• Can you summarize your last week’s operation in one page, with less than 10 spelling mistakes – and yes, without the help of your secretary or your Director of HR?
• What is one exceptional thing you do daily in your routine – other than your usual housekeeping of the operations?
• Other than the fact that you hosted the literary festival, served Monica Lewinsky, or launched the first so-and-so restaurant, what is your story that your guest would love to listen to over a cup of coffee with you? A CEO and a good friend of mine once shared a story of him becoming a local guardian of more than 50 children in a hostel nearby his hotel, just because of one extra-ordinary step he took for the parent of a child which spread like a wildfire! What is your story that makes you unique and legendary?
• And what is it that you do that makes a difference to your community – other than serving a cake to an old age home or beach cleaning with your hotel’s t-shirt?
• On a scale of 1-10, minus your designation and power, how would your staff rate your leadership quality?
• And one last thing: if God were to definitely grant you a wish, will you have the heart to pray 'O Lord! Make my son and daughter exactly like me'? If not, what about you will you stop being / doing that you wouldn't want to see your son / daughter doing?

You need not reply to this message and you are entitled to feel what you feel – provoked, eye-opening, silly, whatever! Whatever the answers you get, let those become a catalyst for your transformation from today.

Because I strongly feel, good is not good enough. Good is really not good enough. There is more to do to inspire, to make the white whiter!

Shahir