#7- Does the title matter?

Well, it may be what opens doors at the end of the day, but the title does not define a leader. Being the "perfect leader" isn’t something you arrive at, it’s something you grow into through perspective shifts and lived experience. It is also ultimately not driven only by factors such as title. Yes, the corporate ladder is a real thing, but I think that finding a real "why" and working hard to grow others around you will come back tenfold down the line.

Do you believe in karma? Because as one of my mentors once said, "ooooo great karma, what you put out you get out." Whether you know it or not, in the moments of putting others first you are learning a lesson of altruism and how maybe one day someone might do the same for you. Even if no one does, there is a chemical change in your brain when you do good for others around you. The way I see it, this week’s topic of servant leadership and the concept of putting others above self is at the core of who I’ve defined myself as in the shoes of leadership. I also see that servant leadership in action is something that comes from a place of humility.

Servant leadership is a core mentality of the "good" business owners, operators, managers, and even emerging employees who are ambitious for more. In the time that I have spent in the hospitality industry, I have noticed that servant leaders have been at the core of my experience and the success of the organizations that I have had the honor to work for.

A couple of examples that highlight this mentality would be managers who are constantly recognizing those around them and cheering others on even in times of adversity. I have had leaders who go beyond just being a leader at work, but are leaders in life. The servant mentality to me is that your community and colleagues should be treated like family. Be willing to take the shirt off your back. Be open to listening, supporting, and doing the uneasy things that can teach everyone a lesson. I don’t know, maybe my thoughts aren’t all connecting, but the point is to be there for the people around you and never boast the title. The respect that comes from being humble and putting others first will always leave you with more karmic points and a more positive mindset.

This idea of servant leadership also ties directly into something Brené Brown talks about when she says, “You can’t get to courage without rumbling with vulnerability.” At first, that might not seem like it connects to hospitality, but the more I think about it, the more I realize it is everything.

As an emerging leader in HTM, vulnerability is not about weakness, it is about being real. It is about trusting your team enough to give them responsibility. It is about caring enough to check in on someone even when it might feel uncomfortable. And it is about admitting that you do not have all the answers, but still showing up ready to support others. Now there is always risk in that. When you empower others, you give up a level of control. When you care about people, you open yourself up emotionally. But that is where real leadership happens. Because when people feel trusted and supported, they rise to the occasion.

I have seen this firsthand working at a hotel for almost a year now. There have been moments at the front desk where a newer team member is working through a guest interaction, and instead of stepping in and taking over, my managers allow them to navigate the situation while staying close enough to support. Sometimes even letting them sail, but failing forward through a moment of learning and knowing that everything is fixable at the end of the day. It may not be the fastest solution, but it is the most impactful one.That moment shows vulnerability. It shows trust. And more importantly, it shows a commitment to growing others rather than just solving the problem in front of you.

At the end of the day, servant leadership is not about having the title or being the person in control. It is about showing up for others, putting people first, and understanding that the best leaders are the ones who create more leaders around them. People will never remember your title, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Keep it real.

SGH