Hotel SA September 2023

W O M E N I N H O T E L S
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Bianca Dawson, Chief Training And
Development Officer at Australian
Venue Co, describes herself as a
“leadership nerd”.
“160 women talking about hospo is
like Christmas,” said the founder of
the successful HerHospo program.
• Coming from a hospitality family,
she quickly learned “the value of
guest experience” and picked up
her parents’ passion, describing
it as “contagious” (although they
did try to steer her away from
hospitality).
• On that point, Bianca noted that
while 73% of teenagers say
parents are biggest influence on
them – few parents encourage
their children to choose a career
in hospitality.
• “In a time of staff shortages, we
need to be the industry of choice,”
she said.
• Around broad themes of
education, inspiration and
empowerment, she covered a
wide range of topics – including
gender equality and working
with male leaders to help them
overcome unconscious bias.
These issues will be the focus of
future stories in Hotel SA.
EXCELLENCE:
• Set levels of excellence and
consequences. If you accept lower
standards, your good performers
start to perform poorly.
LEADERSHIP:
• Managers might know a hotel and
its systems inside out. But are you
a leader?
• Don’t underestimate your value as
a leader and how much people are
looking to you.
• “Accountability starts with us, as
leaders.”
EMPATHY:
• “Authentic leadership is key.”
• Be honest. You can admit to
having a tough day.
DELEGATION:
• If you can’t have a day off, or
your team is constantly calling
you on your day off, “that is not a
badge of honour”. Not being able
to delegate will lead to burn out.
• Consider using the BALM Model.
RECRUITMENT:
• “We are not great recruiters.”
• When someone leaves, consider
how the role might change.
Don’t use a cookie cutter job
description; it may not be
relevant to your operation.
• When someone has no
experience, ask questions that
reveal personality.
FEEDBACK
• The importance of specific and
clear communication that is
regular, immediate and in an
appropriate location.
• “Avoid the sh!# sandwich.”
Delegates certainly related
to this.
• “What are you working on to
improve?” Staff should be able to
answer this question because of
the regular feedback you provide.
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