The one with a book recommendation  - Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Although the book may not be an obvious choice for leaders or managers especially for people within hospitality, the books defends itself with the war stories from authors and how what they experienced translates into the managerial everyday duties. 

"Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin is a compelling leadership guide grounded in the authors’ Navy SEAL experiences, emphasizing that true leadership means taking full responsibility for everything in your domain—successes and failures alike. This principle, while forged in combat, translates powerfully into business management, especially in dynamic, customer-facing sectors like hospitality.

• Leaders must own every aspect of their team's performance and outcomes, including mistakes and failures. Blaming external factors or team members is counterproductive. Instead, leaders should focus on what they can control and how to improve

  • This mindset cultivates a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

  • Effective planning involves assessing the current situation, defining clear objectives, and outlining actionable steps. Importantly, plans should be simple, repeatable, and flexible enough to adapt to unexpected challenges. Engaging the team in the planning process fosters ownership at all levels
  • Leaders must identify the most critical tasks and address them decisively, especially under pressure. This skill ensures focus and prevents overwhelm, enabling teams to navigate complex situations calmly and effectively

  • Check Ego and Lead with Humility Ego can cloud judgment and hinder collaboration. Leaders who maintain humility foster trust, encourage open communication, and create an environment where team members feel valued and empowered

  • Maintain High Standards and Accountability Leaders set the tone by enforcing standards and holding underperformers accountable. This discipline ensures team cohesion and operational excellence

  • Decentralize Command and Empower Teams Effective leaders delegate decision-making authority to those closest to the action, enabling faster responses and fostering ownership throughout the organization

  • Balance Discipline with Empathy Discipline is crucial for consistency and reliability, but leaders must also show genuine care for their team's well-being, especially in high-stress environments like hospitality

The hospitality industry thrives on exceptional service, teamwork, and adaptability—all areas where extreme ownership principles can drive significant improvements.

• Ownership Drives Service Excellence: Hospitality leaders who take full responsibility for guest experiences foster a culture where employees proactively solve problems rather than passing blame. This leads to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

• Effective Planning and Prioritization: Hospitality operations often face unpredictable challenges (e.g., staffing shortages, supply issues). Leaders who plan simply and prioritize effectively can maintain smooth operations even under pressure.

• Ego Management and Team Cohesion: Given the high emotional intensity in hospitality, leaders who check their ego and lead with humility create a supportive environment that reduces turnover and enhances morale.

• Maintaining consistent service standards is vital. Leaders must hold their teams accountable to ensure quality and operational consistency.

• Empowerment and Decentralization: Frontline employees in hospitality often make real-time decisions impacting guest satisfaction. Empowering them with clear guidance and authority improves responsiveness and service quality.

Conclusion

"Extreme Ownership" offers a transformative leadership framework that is highly relevant to hospitality managers. By embracing full responsibility, fostering accountability, simplifying plans, and empowering teams, hospitality leaders can enhance operational efficiency, employee engagement, and guest satisfaction. The book’s principles encourage leaders to move beyond excuses, face challenges head-on, and cultivate resilient, high-performing teams—qualities essential for success in the fast-paced, people-centric hospitality industry

For hospitality professionals seeking to elevate their leadership impact and build a culture of ownership and excellence, "Extreme Ownership" is an invaluable resource and practical blueprint.

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