Creating Capable and Caring Leaders
Keynote Recap

Delivered to the Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education
July 26, 2006

I.What a Successful Hospitality Leader Actually Looks Like?

· They are passionate about their products and services.

· They care deeply about their employees, their customers and their communities!

· They are master communicators. They communicate their message through the models they project each and every day in the workplace.

· They approach their work with a childlike curiosity.

· They are not afraid to take chances.

· They think globally—but at the same time take local action. They get stuff done. At LeadershipCares we have a phrase that says----“Leaders don’t lament---they shut up and drive!” It means---don’t waste your energy complaining---shut up and do something!!!!!

· They are very focused on the human element. They focus on the human spirit and the power that it brings to their businesses.

· Above all---successful hospitality leaders are teachers! They mentor, teach and inspire those that work for them, those they serve and those they can influence.

II. Life Skills Your Students Need for Their Success

· Teach your students about the direct link between being a caring leader and being successful in this business. Teach them that hospitality is human. It is about welcoming others, providing warmth and comfort, and being generous with yourself and your time.

· Teach your students to make others feel useful.

· Teach them that every team member that works for them wants to know two things: First-exactly what’s expected of them and secondly how they are doing on those expectations.

· Teach them to genuinely care about the success of others!

· Teach your students that modeling excellence is the only way to create it. Remind them that employees can’t deliver excellence unless they first experience it!

· Teach them to have a world view, an understanding of the complexities of the world as it is today, its problems and its opportunities. ….but also tell them to be passionate about what they believe in, ferocious about getting things done and that they can make a difference on global issues by taking action locally ----right there in their kitchens, in their dining rooms, in their lobbies and in their communities.

· Teach them the power of vision—vision is about how they see things, how they believe things could be. Creating a vision---Creating mental pictures and sharing these pictures with others is how real change actually happens.

· Teach them the real meaning of NETWORKING. Tell them about the three steps they need to take to truly become a “Master Networker”. First and always……..listen intently, listen with your eyes. Second…..think about how you could help the person your listening too (what advice or connection could you provide for them?) and third and always last on the list ----is to ask yourself how this person could at some point help you.

· Give them the gift of reality---Define reality for them in our business. Tell them the work is hard, the hours are long, and the frustrations can be overwhelming at times. But at the same time………………Remind them that their attitude is everything! Remind them that success cannot be denied to those that are positive, optimistic and believe in themselves!

· Tell them to take personal responsibility for their financial future. Remind them that they have the gift of time on their side and they should use it wisely.

· Teach them about the importance of personal and professional ethics. Tell them that all a leader really has is his/her good name….all they have is their integrity and the trust of those they lead. Remind them to always “speak it” in all they do!

III. Re-energizing Your Passion for What You Do!

1. Remind yourself about what you are really in this for! Teaching others on how they can actually change the world. Remind yourself that your life’s work has been to create and nurture capable and caring Leaders.

2. Know that your work----the papers you’ve written, the presentations you’ve made, the text books you’ve produced has bettered an industry that we all love!

3. Each and everyday …say the following over and over…education is the only true driver of quality and excellence!

4. Know that you have been an inspiration and have had a huge impact on your students…and that some day, somewhere one of your students will stand up and remind people of the gifts you so generously gave them.

IV. Resources for Your Tool Box-Suggested Reading

The Light of Conscience-Bill Shore-Random House-2004
Getting Them to Give a Damn-Eric Chester-Dearborn Trade Publishing-2005
Leading Without Power-Max DePree-Jossey-Bass-1997

Ron Yudd© 2006
Points of Profit Leadership Inc.
301-540-5791
www.ronyudd.com
www.leadershipcares.org