Redefining Leadership
“Oh, you’re the new General Manager?” she asked, turning to my husband.
“No, that would be me,” I replied with a smile.
I get it. My husband looked the part: tall, serious, and spoke perfect English. Then there was me, smiling, chatty, and speaking with a foreign accent. He fit the outdated image many still hold of what a leader “should” look like, especially in hospitality, where leadership is often associated with being tough, stoic and commanding.
I once lost a job opportunity for this very reason.
“You’re smart and very nice” the recruiter said, “But… are you tough enough to lead?”
“Tough?” I responded. “My leadership style is about inspiring, coaching, empowering, trusting, and working with people toward a shared goal”.
But here’s the irony: it was this very style, the one they dismissed, that carried me and my team through the most difficult challenges of my career. When everything was uncertain, I didn’t bark orders. I built trust. I created calm. I kept us connected. And that’s exactly what we needed to move forward.
The truth is, leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. The most effective leaders I’ve known didn’t lead the same way as one another. What they had in common wasn’t a set of traits, they had the courage to lead as themselves.
They leaned into what made them unique.
They trusted their instincts.
They built teams where others could do the same.
That’s what real leadership is. It’s not about being louder, tougher, or more polished. It’s about being real—and using that authenticity to bring out the best in others.
5 Anchors for Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership begins with knowing yourself. It’s not about mimicking someone else’s style—it’s about paying attention to how you show up, what drives you, and how you impact others. These traits aren’t about performance or perfection. They’re about leading from a grounded, intentional place.
Because when you lead yourself well, you naturally create the conditions for others to thrive too.
1. Vision: Ground Your Team in Meaning
In the middle of chaos, vision is what keeps people centered. It’s not about having a grand five-year plan, it’s about being able to step back, see the bigger picture, and help others see it too.
Vision gives meaning to the day-to-day. When you remind people why they’re doing what they’re doing, it’s easier for them to stay focused, motivated, and united even when things get hard.
Ask yourself: What do I want us to create together? How can I keep that front and center?
2. Emotional Intelligence: Lead With Heart
Being emotionally aware doesn’t make you less of a leader. It makes you more of one. Understanding how people feel and managing how you respond builds trust and resilience.
Try this: Pause before reacting. Listen more than you speak. Respond with curiosity instead of judgment.
3. Communication: Make Space for Understanding
It’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. And just as importantly, how often. Communication is at the heart of leadership, whether you’re sharing feedback, navigating change, or simply checking in.
The more open and clear you are, the stronger your team becomes.
Remember: Speak plainly. Ask questions. Make time for the small conversations that build big trust.
4. Adaptability: Lead Through the Uncertain
Leadership rarely goes according to plan. Things shift, strategies fail, and unexpected challenges arise. Leading with flexibility, and inviting your team to do the same, helps everyone stay focused on what matters most. Adaptability doesn’t mean being unstructured. It means being willing to pivot when it counts.
Practice this: Be open to feedback. Embrace “we’ve never done it this way” as a potential strength.
5. Delegation: Growing Others
New leaders often fall into the trap of doing everything themselves, thinking it shows strength. But leadership isn’t about taking on more, it’s about supporting others to grow as well. Delegation isn’t just practical; it’s powerful.
Shift your mindset: Handing something off isn’t giving up control—it’s building capacity.
The Leadership Journey
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. We’ve all experienced its highs and lows. Sometimes it’s inspiring, other times, it’s overwhelming. But one thing is clear: you don’t have to sound, act, or lead like anyone else to make a difference.. It’s about learning, growing, and showing up.
Great leaders aren’t born, they’re shaped by experience, feedback, and the people around them. Think about the leaders who changed your life. Chances are, they believed in you before you believed in yourself. They trusted you, challenged you, and helped you grow. Now it’s your turn.
Lead from who you are. That’s what really makes the difference.
About the Author:
Meet Marie, WORTH’s incredible volunteer and Founder and Principal Consultant of MyHotelPro. With over 20 years of international hotel industry experience, from strategy to operations, Marie is passionate about uplifting independent hotels and their teams, bringing them the unique support they deserve. From maximizing revenue to strengthening team retention strategies, she helps hotels thrive behind the scenes.