Monday, March 25, 2024

What does it take to reach the C-suite and lead effectively once there?

Today, Chris Silcock, President of Global Brands and Commercial Services at Hilton, joins us to answer this question. Chris oversees the Hilton's 22 brands, along with the company's customer engagement, technology, sales, marketing, and revenue teams. In our feature story, he shares insights from his career journey, the advice and skills that have been most valuable to him, and his recommendations for hospitality professionals aiming to reach their goals and lead effectively.

We’re also learning:

• Tips for leveling up your executive presence (from Melissa Maher)

• Career advice from Dorothy Dowling (from Rachel Vandenberg)

• Growth opportunities with hotels today (from Ophelia Makis)

• Advice for elevating your energy (from David Arraya)

• Inspiration from an icon (from Shelley Brown)

Let’s get into it…

TOGETHER WITH THE HUDDLE

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Through interviewing more than 300+ leaders around the world for Hospitality Daily, I’ve learned so much—but I also found that there are some limitations to how I can help you through an email, podcast, or social post. A lot of Hospitality Daily's magic has been in connecting people who are building, operating, and investing in the world of hospitality.

That's why I’ve created The Huddle. It's a private membership group where we can have those conversations, ask questions of each other, and meet interesting people who are building interesting things in the world of hospitality.

I invite you to join us, learn, build, and grow together.

Send me an email ([email protected]) if you’re interested, and I’ll tell you more.

FEATURE STORY

Career Lessons in Leadership

Today, Chris Silcock, President of Global Brands and Commercial Services at Hilton, shares what he has learned in his journey to overseeing Hilton's 22 brands and the company's pivotal commercial functions, including customer engagement, technology, sales, marketing, and revenue management.

Listen to our conversation here now

Focus on the game

“At all times, focus on doing a good job with whatever your responsibilities are,” Chris added. “There are always opportunities to knock it out of the park and over-deliver. And in my experience, if you do that, opportunities will come your way.”

Stay in the game

Some more takeaways from our conversation:

• Diverse Experience is Key: Gain experience in various roles within the hospitality industry, both at the hotel level and in corporate functions. This will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the business and make you a more credible and effective leader.

• Understand the Business Model: Learn about customer demand, segmentation, and the financial aspects of running a hotel. This knowledge is crucial for engaging with hotel owners and ensuring the profitability and growth of the business.

• Develop Critical Thinking and Listening Skills: As you progress and lead functions outside your area of expertise, rely on your ability to listen carefully, think critically, and ask insightful questions to understand the business and add value.

• Invest in People Skills: As you climb the leadership ladder, your role will increasingly revolve around managing people. Cultivate the ability to connect with, inspire, and lead larger teams effectively.

• Behavioral Interviewing Techniques: Apply behavioral interviewing methods to assess the credibility of candidates and team members. This involves asking progressively deeper questions to gauge their expertise and fit for the role.

Listen to our full conversation here now

From our community

Hospitality Daily is a community of creators and doers. Some things for today: