Investing in people isn't just a strategy for today
In one of our previous blogs we discussed the extraordinary career path of Elliot Hill, CEO at Nike, where he started his career as an intern 30 years earlier. This powerful story demonstrates what’s possible when organizations truly commit to developing their people. This blogpost dives into why investing in human potential should be a priority within every organization and why this goes beyond an attractive compensation package only.
The power of human development in hospitality
Investing in people requires a holistic approach of several crucial components working together to create a lasting impact. Let’s explore these elements and understand their effectiveness in people development within our beloved hospitality sector:
Training
Structured learning programs equip employees with specific skills and knowledge needed for both their current and future roles. Training allows team members across hotels and food & beverage departments to adapt continuously and prepare for new challenges within your organization.
Interesting trainings and courses at Cornell University, where they offer a profound Hospitality Leadership program where they explore the critical skills that make leaders effective in today’s hospitality organizations. Or explore training opportunities at EHL Hospitality Business School where they offer all different kinds of programs that will further develop your employees.
Mentorship
Mentorship can be a gamechanger for hospitality organizations. Pairing experienced professionals with emerging talent, whether in restaurants, hotels or other settings, facilitates knowledge sharing, providing guidance and helps employees navigate career challenges effectively.
Personal Development
Growth should extend beyond job specific skills. Encouraging development in leadership abilities, emotional intelligence and personal strength demonstrates true dedication to your people. These characteristics will also significantly impact workplace performance and create versatile professionals who thrive in the hospitality industry.
Career Pathing
Clear progression routes show employees their potential future within the organization. This visibility results in motivation and helps retain top talent by demonstrating long-term opportunities.
Continuous Learning
Creating a culture where curiosity and innovation thrive and are encouraged, but also where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, brings up creativity and personal growth. Recognition is vital here as well. Acknowledging and celebrating achievements, both big and small, help to reinforce positive behaviors and maintain motivation.
We love the idea of going on a team ‘Champagne tour & tasting. Experiencing the magnificence of Champagne houses and deep diving into the art of Champagne production. It’s both a learning experience as it will bring your team closer.
The ripple effect
This holistic approach creates an environment where individuals can flourish, just as Nike did with Elliot Hill. When employees in hotels, restaurants or resorts see clear growth paths, they take greater ownership of their work, contribute innovative ideas and build stronger relationships both internally and externally. The so-called ripple effect.
While it’s tempting to focus solely on immediate outcomes like KPIs and targets, dedicating time to establish a holistic people development approach yields returns that extend far beyond productivity to create loyal employees. In hospitality, where customer experience is everything, having dedicated, skilled professionals can make a lasting impact but this requires deeper organizational commitment.
True organizational success comes from this comprehensive investment in people development, creating not just productive employees, but future leaders who will drive your organization forward.
What’s your take on this? Is people development on your agenda this year? We would love to discuss this topic in more detail with you. Don’t wait another second and contact us!
