GMs on Mentoring: Leading by Example
General managers have many responsibilities critical to the success of their hotels, not the least of which is mentoring their team members. Employees at every stage of a career benefit from the insights and direction of a thoughtful mentor.
M&R Team News asked five company general managers, representing a range of brands and locations, to describe their approaches to mentoring.
Melissa Hill, Hampton Inn Joplin: “To me, mentoring first means that you lead by example. As a manager, associates look to you as a role model. It’s an opportunity for you to coach and teach your associates best practices.”
Susanna McCoon, Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West: “Mentoring is a core component of being a leader. As a general manager, encouraging and assisting associates develop is very gratifying. You’re helping them find their individual learning path. It’s the icing on the cake.”
Alan Chan, area general manager, Best Western JFK Airport Hotel, Days Inn by Wyndham Jamaica/JFK Airport, Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport Area, Holiday Inn Express LaGuardia Airport: “Good leaders like to see their team improve in their careers. In my career, associates I have mentored have become night managers, directors of sales and even general managers. You feel a sense of pride to know that your guidance actually proved beneficial.”
Anup Chauhan, Comfort Inn JFK Airport: “Mentoring is an essential skill for a leader. As a manager, I believe in helping associates develop both personally and professionally. Serving as a mentor makes you reflect on your own career challenges as you assist mentees in achieving their goals. Associates come away feeling more invested in what the job requires. Both you and your associates benefit from the process.”
Traci Kinney, Best Western Charleston, Quality Inn/Suburban Charleston: “When associates ask me to coach them on aspects of managing a hotel, I’m glad to mentor them. They’re interested in how the hotel works as a whole, what the revenue and expense numbers really mean. They come away with a better understanding of the entire operation.”
