Mr. Gabrielsen

Executive Leadership

Creating Our Own Leadership Values

By Rick Gabrielsen, President, Kupuna Hospitality, LLC

Often confused with position, popularity or charisma, leaders today appear to be thrust into a leadership role that many want no part of. In any relationship or venture, it appears that most individuals lack the fundamentals of what a “leader” is and most importantly the definition. Let’s start by looking at the definition of a leader and then the values aspect of the words as stated in the Merriam Webster Dictionary. A leader is defined as “something that leads” and a value is defined as “something (as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable”. The reference in each to the “something” appears to have no feelings or emotion. Could we now begin to use the leadership term as “something that leads with value or desire”? That would then describe a leader as one that draws upon emotion and value in each of their plans, processes or decisions. Let’s together discuss the leadership values in our industry today and use this platform to review what I think are the components to creating your own leadership values. The five values of leadership I look to are in the “ING”, “Listening, Volunteering, Mentoring, Deciding and Adjusting”. Creating your own leadership values is a work of art, blended through time and continually re-shaped.

Listening

Do you recall as a youngster when you could not talk and your greatest attribute was listening? How enjoyable was it to listen to a story or learn to crawl, did you give instructions to the teacher or your parents? When learning to ride a bicycle or read, was it you that was gifted without instructions? Has your interaction with others turned from open ended questions to closed? Do you prefer short answers in order to gain the lead in a conversation with a quick follow up of another closed- end question? Have you found yourself over the years adjusting to these differences? Do you recognize when your leadership values change? Take a moment to only listen and not respond and I am confident that your position will change abruptly where you will learn patience, compassion and a wealth of knowledge to enhance your own leadership values. Teamwork values are based in the listening mode which allows others to form their opinions, process their direction and then communicate to the team a plan of work. Understanding others point of view and creating a dialogue is only completed through the ears. To listen is to learn about something of value.

Volunteering

At a Board meeting a few years ago while in a discussion of due dates, etc. by the President, one member sitting adjacent to me, looked over and said “is this not a volunteer organization?” I have been interested in his comment for years. The meaning for me was that we are all executives in each of our own industries and we volunteer to give back to others. Volunteering over the years is near and dear to my core. It provides a buffet of values and leadership skills to learn from, in many instances examples to retain and some to avoid. Remember in this arena, you do not receive compensation only the reward for the soul. The majority who volunteer, do it before, in the middle or after a “job” and the learning is as if you are in a college setting where all education is pursued not provided. Providing to others the value of time in a setting of unselfishness, creates learning unseen in the business world and develops relationships to lead. Where can you find a group of individuals from a variety of industries who share a common goal with an opportunity to learn so much about leadership and it is complimentary…a reward for your time!

Mentoring

To provide the gift of care and direction in any circumstance is one of gratitude. Wisdom is terrific for stories and of life lessons, though to realize the impact you have made with an individual is when they recognize the difference. How many times have others requested to use you as a personal reference? Mentoring is available to all without any barriers. As in our early forming years, the time spent with us by friends and family to grow, learn and develop is not different as to when we appear to age quickly. You mean to tell me that you quit learning at a certain age or we get set in our ways or the “something” has changed, not a chance? The “ING” as I referred to earlier, is so prevalent in the growth and development of others, that you will find the characteristics being taught will soon become a mutual reward. Make it a desire or value to make a difference in the individuals that will follow!

Deciding

Our decisions develop our leadership values at a very young age. Even as infants we learn how to get attention quickly, how to scream loudly and obtain immediate care, how to navigate between furniture or fixtures when learning to walk, understanding that hot means hot, that falling does not always hurt and on and on. So many of the most crucial decisions are made in the blink of the eye and we find so many perceived leaders that need a meeting to decide the path. Meetings are associated with follow up on the “something”, whereas deciding is associated with sound knowledge to determine an outcome and or path. The inability of a leader to make a decision erodes integrity and trust. We all know the rights and wrongs, but the integrity of the decision is imperative when others view you. How are you viewed by others? When you enter a room, does it fill with energy or is it immediately depleted and a sigh is the loudest word spoken. In the deciding of a decision or action or path or even a promise, how are you perceived in the process? Ask an associate, a friend or someone close to you a simple question of “How would you rate my leadership value in deciding?” Do not justify your stance, but listen to their view and you are assured to improve this leadership trait.

Adjusting

How often do you adjust the something, 50 times a day, probably more I would assume? In your earlier years, were you more flexible with dates, time, desires and values? Why is that? Is it because of the carefree nature of youth or that we just did not know what we did not know? Adjusting is not one of values you set forth, but the path for which you have taken or veered away onto. Adjustment helps to ease your spines and backs for more comfort, adjusting each week to the various offense and defense strategies in sports often end in more wins, adjusting to your portfolio in the market will often bring rest and adjusting the seat in the car after your youngest drove it, always provides more comfort when there is a 100 pound and 8 inch difference in seat configurations. Maintaining a path is crucial to movement in all aspects of life, but adjusting to the variations in change is paramount in the eyes of the followers. As we grow in age, we adjust to everything daily, but in our own personal and professional growth we typically do not realign our leadership characteristics. Doing something will always get the same something, but adjusting the direction creates a structure within integrity. Adjust just one something today and you will recognize the ease and value of your decision.

As we reflect on the values of leadership that have built and continue to renovate us as people, put a little “ING” into your day and begin creating your own leadership by listening to something, volunteering for something, mentoring something, deciding on something and adjusting to something. In the end you will be graciously rewarded by others and recognized as a desirable leader of something! Leaders are in every aspect of our lives, in all senses of our day and moments shared. Not large or small, loud or quiet, popular or hidden, the leader in you starts by the face in the mirror recognizing the impact you can have on the something in others. Share your leadership moments today and tomorrow will reward you twice your investment.

A quote from Maya Angelou (American poet.b 1928) that summarizes so eloquently the emotions of leadership, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” It is and always will be about people, who look for guidance, direction, growth and a whole lot of care. Be the one to set the example for others in your daily offerings to mankind, through sharing your leadership values that you have learned from others who so graciously shared with you. Leadership is a mutually beneficial trait that is meant to be shared for others to create their own path.

Passionate involvement and infinite horizons are what defines Rick Gabrielsen — be it as an industry leader admired by his peers for a reputation of peak performance, a trusted advisor and loyal business partner, or a compassionate community volunteer. With 35 years experience in hospitality management for a variety of corporate, independent and bank owned hotels, he is one of the foremost experts in asset management and operations of boutique hotels and limited service properties. Prior to forming Kupuna Hospitality, Mr. Gabrielsen held the position of Area Vice President for Hilton Worldwide, managing company-owned and or managed brands of Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites hotels in the Mountain — West region and Mexico. Mr. Gabrielsen can be contacted at 303-376-6313 or rick@kupunahospitality.com Extended Bio...

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