10 Things a Hotel Manager Should Never Tolerate

Good management is the product of several factors. Skill and education play an important role, but one of the most important hallmarks of great hotel managers is the standards they uphold. That means building good habits of action and thought, and drawing a firm line around the things that are unacceptable. It is about what they do, but also what they will never engage in or allow within their team. To name just a few:

1. Inertia.

The reality of leadership is that yesterday’s results become today’s status quo. Good managers need to be constantly moving forward and ready to seize opportunities. Inaction is incompatible with strong leadership.

2. Poor communication.

The best managers place communication at the heart of their leadership. Their communication is timely, clear and appropriate, and they expect the same from those around them, because communication is a two-way street.

3. Mediocrity.

Good managers are ordinary people who aspire to the extraordinary. They constantly seek to exceed expectations—their own and those of others—and are never interested in hearing that something is going "well enough".

4. Ambivalence.

Successful leaders do not have the time or patience for indecision. They understand that to achieve success, they must set aside fear and doubt, choose a path and follow it. Their decisions are based on knowledge and strategic thinking, but they do not hold meetings or create subcommittees to examine every detail before making a decision.

5. Toxic relationships.

Good managers do not waste their valuable time and energy on negative relationships. They set boundaries, distance themselves from negativity and firmly redirect their focus towards the positive. Positivity is fuel for progress.

6. Dishonesty.

Dishonesty destroys reputations and, ultimately, success. If someone cannot be counted on to be honest, what kind of manager are they?

7. Disrespect.

A good manager treats every person they encounter with respect. They earn respect, in part, through their willingness to show respect to others, and they do not allow anyone around them to be treated disrespectfully or to behave disrespectfully.

8. Fear.

Leaders are human, and no one lives without fear. But the best managers understand that to succeed, they must face their fears and move through them. They feel their fear and keep moving forward.

9. Negativity.

Successful managers avoid negativity because they know it can only hold them back. Nothing good comes from being negative; negativity only breeds more negativity

10. Lack of integrity.

Successful leaders understand the importance of integrity. Anyone around them who lacks integrity compromises their work, their team and their leadership. They lead with character in everything they do, and expect others to do the same. There are many more things a good hotel manager should not tolerate, and this list simply brings together those I believe are most important.