Four Principles for Effective Hospitality Hires

By Daniel Zolinski | April 10, 2024

Two years ago, I embarked on the journey of starting my own marketing company. While filled with eagerness to learn and escape the job I had dreaded, I found myself grappling with early mornings and late nights, experiencing a mix of excitement and pride, yet sensing the onset of burnout. It became evident that a change was necessary. Though I was the boss, I also played the role of the assistant, burdened by tasks that kept me awake into the wee hours of the night. Finally, a mentor advised me to hire someone as soon as possible, a suggestion I promptly acted upon.

You may find yourself at a similar juncture in your hospitality company, where growth is accelerating, and additional support is imperative to prevent burnout and allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor with loved ones. Let’s delve into the four principles of hiring a chief of staff (or any position) that can guide you through this process. Whether you have already assembled your team or not, these key takeaways will prove beneficial in your hospitality journey:

1. Hire When Needs Outgrow Resources

“When should I hire a chief of staff?” The answer: before you realize you need one. Signs indicating the necessity for additional support include:

• Regularly working late hours.
• Struggling to keep up with your to-do list.
• Inadequate time allocated to high-impact, strategic work.

Avoid waiting until you’re on the brink of burnout; instead, adopt a proactive approach.

2. Hire for Alignment, Not Just Skill

Don’t solely focus on skills and qualifications when hiring. Look ahead and contemplate, “Can I envision this individual leading the company one day?” “Do they share my vision?” Given the significant time you’ll spend together, alignment in thinking and decision-making is crucial. This alignment not only simplifies operations but also enhances the overall experience.

3. Foster Radical Openness

Alignment necessitates openness. Consider this: if two individuals read the same 50 books and share similar life experiences over one or two years, their thinking would align. This underscores the importance of your chief of staff shadowing you continuously. Embrace transparency, allowing them to observe your operational methods. Over time, this transparency fosters trust, a cornerstone of running a successful hospitality company.

4. Ascend Priorities Together

A chief of staff empowers you to focus on high-impact tasks. Align their priorities with yours. Streamline tasks through elimination, automation, and delegation, enabling both you and your team to ascend to higher echelons within the company. Challenge yourself to operate at your peak level of contribution.

I trust that these four principles for hiring within your hospitality company will bring clarity and purpose to your endeavors moving forward.