By: Mark Pate, Sr., CHAE, CHTP, MBA | HFTP Global President
As we venture into 2022 that so many in the hospitality industry have pinned their dreams as the year that things return to normal, one of the most important requirements we will need is leadership — leadership to take our clubs, our hotels and our corporate offices in the brave new direction that will be needed for us to survive and thrive in this whole new landscape we so lovingly call “hospitality.” It won’t be easy, but nothing ever worth doing is.
What does leadership actually mean? As I think back to the many men and women that have demonstrated leadership in my personal and professional life, the word “bravery” always surfaces. They were brave enough, and believed enough in the direction they were headed, to get out in front and lead others. That is exactly the kind of leadership we need in 2022 — those who can see beyond tomorrow and even next year, and who want to lead others to the heights they see for the future of the hospitality industry. These effective leaders do not look around to see if anyone is following, but instead they are constantly focused on the way forward.
Once again, I am so proud and thankful that HFTP is in the forefront of showing the hospitality world how leadership is done. The association has capsulized a lot of valuable leadership skills in a new Leadership Excellence Series that will begin later this month. I would like to give you some of the highlights of what you can expect. This series is for all hospitality professionals at all levels of their career, including our Young Professionals, who should definitely register and make sure to check out the “They Drive Me Crazy” session in February. Keep reading to learn more about this session, as well as the program overview and orientation on January 26.
HFTP Introduces Inaugural Leadership Excellence Series in 2022, Beginning January 26
Beginning later this month, the annual Leadership Excellence Series is a free, members-only virtual program designed to help you develop leadership skills and knowledge through a series of monthly learning components. Through this program, you will have access to valuable models of leadership within the association and the global hospitality industry at large.
Start the program by registering on the HFTP website and plan to attend the Program Welcome and Orientation session on Wednesday, January 26 at 10:30 a.m. CST. This introductory session will go over what you can expect from this dynamic professional development opportunity. Hear about the leadership topics to be covered, the multiple components offered, and what your involvement will be as a participant. Meet the leaders overseeing the series and your fellow HFTP members involved.
Get recognized for your success! We also believe that you should be able to showcase your new skills and dedication to continued professional development in the industry. Therefore, your successful completion of the program will result in receiving a completion certificate and digital badge that you can include in your LinkedIn profile. Also, you will be recognized at a special reception for participants at the HFTP 2022 Annual Convention, taking place this September 14-16 at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas USA.
Sneak Peek at the February Session
Take a look at the details for the program’s first leadership topic webinar, taking place on Thursday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. CST. This session will be moderated by Josh Bergen, CHAE, CHTP, president of VENZA and CyberTek. Bergen has invited workforce thought-leader Cara Silletto, MBA, CSP to present her expertise and experience working with organizations of all sizes to reduce unnecessary employee turnover by bridging generational gaps and making managers more effective in their roles. Silletto will present her “Millennial Mindset” session and its relationship to both the hospitality industry and the Great Resignation.
Workforce Magazine in Chicago named Silletto a “Game Changer” for her innovative approach to solving generational issues in the workplace and Recruiter.com listed her in their “Top 10 Company Culture Experts to Watch” list. She is also the author of the book, Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave & How to Keep Them Longer. Today, she is a highly-sought-after national speaker conducting 50 to 100 engagements annually. Louisville Business First named her one of their 2018 “Forty Under 40.”
“They Drive Me Crazy! The Generational Story You’ve Never Heard”
Tired of hearing generational programs that list off mind-numbing statistics? You’ll love our award-winning unique approach to bridging today’s generational gaps! Real-life, first-hand stories about the real issues on the T.A.B.L.E. (technology, authority, balance, loyalty, and entitlement) fuel an eye-opening discussion about today’s changing workplace that will shift your mindset about those you work with.
In this session, attendees will be able to:
- Define the updated generational cohorts and why their definitions of “professionalism” vary.
- Uncover exactly why today’s new workforce thinks and acts so differently in the workplace than previous generations.
- Learn how to see others’ views to reduce judgment and improve relationships and retention.
Register for the Program Today
I hope that we have been able to pique your interest in the new Leadership Excellence series and also show you just how important effective leadership is in the hospitality industry at this very unique time in history. Let us know your thoughts on leadership and if there are other leadership topics we should be addressing in this series. And please don’t forget to register for the program. Hope to see you in the program orientation real soon on January 26.
Mark Pate Sr., CHAE, CHTP, MBA is the 2020-2021 HFTP Global Board President. He is assistant controller & IT director for Highpointe Hotel Corporation.
