Leadership Stakes Need To Be Raised

Hospitality businesses need to raise their game even further and deliver strong and inspirational leadership if they are to steer their workforce through ongoing change and new opportunities, according to the first leadership book of its kind for the hospitality sector.

‘Aspire to Inspire' by Alan Cutler - supported by People 1st - found that the fortunes of businesses beset by poor leadership and practices, could be saved from the brink by leaders with clear vision, passion and commitment to the development of their staff.

In his quest to explore what factors make an outstanding leader in hospitality, Cutler identified several pockets of excellent practice and exceptional leaders who had overcome formidable challenges across the whole sector, ranging from food and service management to hotels and restaurants.

“It was motivating to be in the presence of such passionately driven people,” said Cutler. “All are great leaders and a credit to their organisations and their industry.

“In my interviews, I sought to explore their approach to, and experience of leadership in the context of their own roles and responsibilities, identify what special challenges they had faced and overcome and what motivated them as leaders. I also sought to obtain their advice to those entering the hospitality industry as a leader with similar responsibilities as theirs.”

Tips from exceptional leaders:

• Think big and act small. Create a growing business that people can grow within and never lose sight of the little things that matter.
• Expect your managers to be ‘premier league players' who can stand on their own feet and make their own decisions.
• Understand when to work as part of a team and when to lead as an individual
• Be adaptable, as the world in which we live and work is constantly changing and all successful leaders need to demonstrate an ongoing ability to be flexible.
• Maintain a strong commitment to think like your staff and your customers.
• Organise your mind to move seamlessly from one objective to another, never leaving any one of them unfinished.

For more information on Aspire to Inspire, visit www.hospitalityleadership.com/aspire_to_inspire_book.html

For examples of inspirational leaders, visit www.stonebow.co.uk/Case_Studies.aspx