Understanding The Leadership Challenges Of A Cross-Generational Workforce
For the first time in history, five generations will soon be working side by side. Executives of the older generation are working longer while the “young guns” are quickly rising through the ranks and gaining a foothold in the professional world as a force to be reckoned with. At face value, this is a complex, yet rewarding challenge for any leader in the hospitality industry. The level of experience and the, at times, distinct attitudes and character traits which are often attributed to an executive’s tenure within the industry, are often pointed out as the differentiating factors between the generations. Yet, it would be unfair to pigeonhole executives by these factors. In fact, Aethos™ has often found that those differentiating character traits are innate and disassociated to the level of experience. Yet, the cross-generational divide does exist – it is driven, though, by different personal drivers and motivations, by different world views and by different communication styles and ways to manage relationships.
Read moreBusiness Cases Strengthen Performance Management: Q&A with Dr. Michelle Crosby
Effectively predicting the future success of job candidates, both internal and external, is challenging at best. Traditionally, this process has relied heavily on interviewing – documented as one of the poorest predictors of on-the-job performance – and, occasionally, the use of psychological testing or biographical information. Yet, there are approaches available that are more effective than using such tactics alone.
Read moreGaming CEO Pay In A Year Of Reckoning
The last eighteen months has been a reckoning for powerful men in the business world and gaming has been no exception. The #MeToo Movement struck down one of the most recognizable names in the gaming industry when Steve Wynn stepped down from the company he founded, Wynn Resorts. These issues have continued to shine a spotlight on CEO pay, severance and golden parachutes. Four other CEOs in gaming are out or on the way out soon. Caesars recently announced that Mark Fissora is stepping down at the end of the year. All that said, it was a very solid year for casinos stocks, with many of the bigger companies outperforming the small ones.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Series On ‘Professional Visibility’: Engaged Leadership
We have previously explored the fundamental association between relatability and professional visibility. Subsequently, we have further defined that concept of professional visibility and segmented it into three components: credibility, confidence and charisma. Here, we examine the notion of ‘engaged leadership.’
Read moreHospitality & Technology -What To Look For When Hiring A CTO
Over the last several years, the function of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) has become increasingly important to the success of almost every type of organization. Yet, despite its importance, it is still rare for hospitality firms to provide a board seat for this vital function. Consequently, the public profile of CTOs is often limited. So, what are the building blocks that form the profile of a successful CTO? And, what are the character traits that hiring committees should be looking for in a CTO?
Read moreHospitality & Technology – It Is Time To Change Your Mindset
To leverage technology to its greatest potential in the hospitality sector will require thought leaders who are open to seeing it from a different point of view - ask any hospitality executive about technology and their thoughts are likely to jump to distribution, sales and marketing, automation and organizational effectiveness. Our sector has done well in using technology to improve processes and to achieve greater efficiencies. In short, we have succeeded in effectively applying technology for, predominantly, transactional purposes. But there is so much more that could be done.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Solutions Series: Embrace Charisma, Not Stoicism
Some of the most memorable and effective mid-managers and senior executives utilize leadership charisma to bolster their personal brands, build alliances, gain buy-in from team members and maximize their influence internally and externally to their organizations. But some of the most charismatic leaders have used these skills to wreak havoc. Think of Charles Manson, Adolf Hitler and David Koresh, to name a few. Today, many leadership pundits promote a style of “servant leadership” and empathy that better serves leaders in a modern world. In “Good to Great,” author James Collins calls it Level 5 Leadership. But all too often the “command-and-control” management style still dominates in many workplaces.
Read moreReimagining Sales Leadership with Josh Lesnick, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels
Aethos™ recently “picked-the-brain” of Josh Lesnick, President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels – the parent company of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and Worldhotels. Both are leading global hospitality services organizations that specialize in luxury-level and upper-upscale independently owned or operated hotels and resorts around the world. Associated Luxury defines success as enabling their member hotels to maintain an independent identity while competing effectively with the world’s biggest hospitality chains.
Read moreHospitality & Technology – Innovation is Being Stifled By Lack Of Leadership
Technology-enabled interaction has become a “must,” not a “nice to have,” and guests expect to be engaged and recognized at an ever more personalized level—it is no longer just a marketing gimmick. However, sitting down for a conversation with Klaus Kohlmayr, chief evangelist at IDeaS Revenue Solutions, he confirmed that the sector is playing catch-up. We agreed, gutsy leadership is needed to bring the technology departments at hotel organizations worldwide into the 21st century. More importantly, we agreed that the root of the problem lies in out-of-date software, systems and infrastructure. Too many hotel operators are running on archaic platforms and trying to compete with a horse-drawn carriage in a Formula 1 race.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Series On ‘Professional Visibility’: The 3 Cs of Executive Presence
Last month, we investigated what it takes to be visible in the professional market place and concluded with the suggestion that “visibility” is only worth something if it is tied to “relatability”. In this article, we stipulate that the former and the latter should be complemented by “executive presence”. Google “executive presence” and you’ll be “inundated” with 163 million hits. You’re bound to learn useful tips if you can somehow sift through this avalanche of material to find the tried and true nuggets of wisdom. Or, you could take the Dale Carnegie’s course on public speaking or immerse yourself in leadership books that aim to describe and nurture executive presence reportedly from academic perspectives.
Read more