With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, you bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to your role. How has your journey in the hospitality field shaped your leadership style?
In my 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I have encountered various challenges and opportunities that have significantly influenced my leadership style. The journey in the hospitality field, having witnessed the transformation from early 90s all the way to this moment, with my relentless dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, has played a crucial role in shaping me as a leader where my main focus is growing talents, coaching, and mentoring young and experienced hospitality professionals.
We are in the people industry, people management is a key skill a successful General Manager and leader should also have to build, develop and coach a successful team who will lead the success of the hotel KPI’s including but not limited to financial returns, quality results, customer satisfaction and more. The focus on delivering excellent customer service has translated into my leadership style, where I prioritize listening and understanding the needs of my team members to ensure their success and well-being.
The hospitality industry is dynamic and ever-changing, which requires leaders to be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges and changes. Over my past years of experience, I have learned to navigate through various market shifts and operational hurdles, which taught me the value of flexibility and quick-decision making that are now integral parts of how I lead my team.
Embracing diversity, being influential in presenting own views, being attentive and focused on details, and building a strong team that works towards the same goal is essential for delivering exceptional guest experiences. I strive to create an environment where each team member feels valued, motivated, and empowered.
In conclusion, I adapt several leadership styles depending on each situation, every member of the team is different from another. It is vital to know more about your team members, what motivates them, what ignites the power within them, how they desire to be rewarded. Having said that, the most two leadership styles I adapt are area transformational leadership that focuses on building trust, encouraging others by inspiring them and encoring innovative thinking, coaching, and developing our most valuable assets. And, transactional leadership that focuses rewarding achievements to fuel my team and constantly monitoring deviations.
You are known for your passionate commitment to developing talent within your team. Could you share some strategies you use to mentor and support young hospitality professionals?
Developing talent within my team is something that I am very passionate about, and I strongly believe in providing a supportive and nurturing environment for young hospitality professionals to thrive in.
One of the strategies I use to mentor and support young professionals is providing regular feedback on their performance. This allows them to understand their strengths and areas for improvement and provides them with specific actions they can take to further develop their skills.
I also encourage my team to take ownership of their own development by setting goals and identifying areas they would like to improve upon. I then work with them to create a plan to achieve those goals, providing guidance and support along the way.
In addition, I believe in leading by example and being a positive role model for my team. This means demonstrating the behaviors and values that is expected from them, and providing them with opportunities to learn from my experiences.
In brief, my approach to mentoring and supporting young hospitality professionals is focused on creating a culture of continuous learning and development, where everyone is supported to reach their full potential.
Under your leadership, Mansard Riyadh hotel has consistently exceeded expectations. What do you attribute this success to, and how do you ensure optimal results for shareholders?
Exceptional customer service, strategic marketing and positioning, talented and dedicated team members, continuous improvement and team empowerment are key attributions to the success of our hotel.
Any success always comes when our main goal is prioritizing clear communication among the team, setting high standards, fostering a positive work environment, leading by example and empowering every team member. In addition to this attribution to the success of our award-winning hotel, is consistently embracing innovation, a strong commitment to growth that ensures we remain competitive and relevant in the market, developing strategies aligned with the company and the country’s goals to ensure a sustainable growth, and building a strong empowered team that shares the same mindset, values and dedication to excellence which is essential for success of any hotel.
Investing in training, recognizing achievements, fostering a diverse supportive work environment, passion for delivering exceptional guest experience, sharing expertise, identifying potential challenges, valuing teamwork are key aspects of maintaining high team performance which leads to success and growth of any business.
In order to ensure optimal results for shareholders, we implement a range of strategies aimed at maximizing profitability and enhancing shareholder value.
Sustainability and corporate responsibility are becoming increasingly important in the hospitality industry. How does Mansard Riyadh prioritize sustainability, and what initiatives have you implemented to contribute to a better world?
Our hotel prioritizes sustainability and cooperate responsibly, contributing to a better world and aligning with broader industry goals, through various initiatives that aim to reduce our environmental footprint and promote social responsibility. To prioritize sustainability, we have implemented a range of initiatives across various aspects of our hotel operations.
For instance, we are one of the few locations in Riyadh that first introduced the electric car charges as a service in the parking of the hotel to our valued guests. We are focused on reducing our energy consumption, reduce water usage by implementing water-saving practices and introducing eco-friendly products and concepts to contribute to the green economy.
The above was instrumental in shaping our sustainability initiatives and ensuring we align with international standards for responsible tourism practice.
Our hotel, Mansard Riyadh, have obtained the Green Key Global certification for being one of the hotels striving for sustainability.
Diversity and inclusion are essential aspects of a thriving workplace. Could you tell us about your efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within your team, and how it has contributed to the success of Mansard Riyadh?
Developing the same mindset for each team member is essential to ensure achieving the utmost results for the hotel. In our hotel, we have implemented various initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion within our team. One of the key strategies we have adopted is ensuring equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their background, gender, race, or any other characteristic. Moreover, we actively recruit from diverse talents to ensure that our team reflects the rich tapestry of our society.
We promote teamwork to cultivate the welcoming environment by always encouraging open communications, providing recognition when and where it is due, collaboration between departments, and encouraging team members to be open to suggestions and constructive comments. By seeking out individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, we are able to foster a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
We also provide regular training sessions on diversity and inclusion to raise awareness among our staff members, we Thus, the efforts we have made in promoting diversity and inclusion within our team have had significant impact on the success of Mansard Riyadh. With over 35 different nationalities, and being the most culturally diverse hotel among Radisson Hotel Group, the diversity of thought has proven invaluable in driving innovation and creativity within our hotel.
Furthermore, a culture of inclusivity fosters collaboration and teamwork among employees. When individuals feel respected and accepted for who they are, they are more likely to work together effectively towards common goals. This sense of unity has translated into improved customer service delivery and overall guest satisfaction.
In conclusion, creating a dynamic and inclusive work environment, promoting diversity and inclusion within our team, supporting innovation, has not only enriched the fabric of our workplace, but has also played a pivotal role in the success of our exceptional hotel which reflects the hotel’s commitment to inclusivity and respect of different cultures and perspectives.
The Parisian Haussmann style defines the architectural design of Mansard Riyadh. How do you believe this style positions the hotel within the city, and what unique experiences does it offer to guests?
The Parisian Haussmann Style, positions the hotel as a symbol of elegance, art and sophistication within the city. The hotel is designed in a classic 17th century European style taking full advantage of our namesake’s distinctive roof top lines, Mansard. The hotel was named after the architect François Mansart who popularized this style roof that featured steep sides and a double pitch, seen boldly displayed throughout our complex.
This unique design sets Mansard Riyadh apart from the other developments in the industry blending seamlessly with its surroundings while also standing out as a distinctive landmark. The Parisian Haussmann style of the mid-1800s defines lavishness in its architectural design, where every single element reflects a throwback memory the French’s capital’s fashionable and luxurious boulevards.
In conclusion, adopting the Parisian Haussmann style positions the hotel as a bastion of elegance and tradition within the city while offering guests unique experiences, that celebrate Paris’s architectural legacy and cultural richness.
How do you see the hospitality industry evolving in the coming years, and what role do you envision Mansard Riyadh playing in shaping that future, especially in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 for exceptional hospitality service?
With the rapid transformation in the hospitality sector, the heavy investment in tourism infrastructure, and the country’s rich cultural heritage along with its natural beauty, Saudi is definitely becoming a leading destination for tourism with the focus on sustainability which is a key differentiation as many hotels are adapting eco-friendly practices to reduce environmental impact.
The incredible efforts in the industry, presently occurring in Riyadh now, this city will quickly surpass other cities in the region for development, hospitality and livability. These changes will position Riyadh high on the list of most livable cities throughout the world. The strong bold vision under strong leadership, growing talents, focusing on delivering great returns for shareholders with the strong economy position, determination, the exceptional lifestyle for residents, a hub for leisure, constantly striving to deliver high standards of service and product, aspiration and the passion that the Kingdom has ignited within all of us to challenge ourselves and go far beyond expectation.
“Our aspiration is like Mount
Tuwaiq, our ambition embraces
the sky, and our achievements
are above the clouds”
as what HRH Prince MBS said.
All hotels should aspire to contribute to one mission which is providing outstanding hotel and lodging facilities, reliable and high-quality service and products that will drive and encourage inbound travelers to visit the country. At Mansard, we also aim to contribute to this in addition to the Human Capability Development Program to prepare Saudi talents to become leaders and pioneers by developing their capabilities, skills, and knowledge to be able to compete globally.
In addition to that, we are focused on positioning our food & beverage offering across the town’s finest and reputable dining choices. We truly believe that the dining experience is not about hunger, it is about the need to feel welcomed, well taken care of, served with passion, food cooked with love, spices, aroma, music, smiles. In principle, it is a journey where every moment matters. Our unique culinary experience sets us one step ahead in the market. Offering diverse food & beverage experience in the city, in partnership with the American renown Major Food Group for three exclusive restaurants.
As a conclusion to the above, contributing to the Saudi 2030 Vision of delivering exceptional hospitality services, our vision is to “Conquer the World” and focus on delivering our aspirations. Position the hotel amongst finest hotels in the Kingdom, deliver an unforgettable experience for our valuable guests, to deliver optimum results for all our stakeholders.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, and what continues to drive your passion for this field after over 26 years?
My inspiration to pursue a career in the hospitality industry stemmed from a combination of personal passion, exposure to diverse cultures, and a desire to create memorable experiences for others. I have always been fascinated by the art of hospitality and its ability to make people feel welcome and valued.
There are many tangible and intangible fruits to enjoy in this wonderful industry. As a passionate hotelier, I have had the opportunity of working in several countries and have been exposed to various cultures and traditions which is something I value most. As there were many moments to cherish, the challenges were enormous. The energy required to succeed is driven passion and determination.
I have a strong believe that leadership is about developing my team and communicating the needs and wants of all stakeholders. My enduring passion for the hospitality industry is fueled by a combination of motivation, meaningful interactions with guests and colleagues, continuous learning opportunities, and the joy of creating memorable moments for others.
Throughout your extensive career, you’ve indulged in many countries across several continents, gaining multicultural experience. How has this diverse exposure influenced your approach to leadership and hotel management?
Having the opportunity to work in various countries across different continents, and constantly traveling, have significantly influenced my approach to leadership and hotel management. The exposure out of this to diverse cultures, traditions, and business practices have broadened my perspective and enhanced my management and leadership skills.
Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds has taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity in leadership and management roles. Where it is crucial to value teamwork, build relationships, be attentive to details, have the adaptability approach to problem-solving, proactively develop contingency plans, identify potential challenges, learn to use clear and effective communication, introduce unique services, building a cohesive team that values diversity, empower women and Saudi talents across team members, and tailoring services to meet the needs of guests from various cultural backgrounds.