Back of HouseKey Readings: Valencia Hotel Group Develops Leadership Via a Book Club

Key Readings: Valencia Hotel Group Develops Leadership Via a Book Club

There are many educational approaches to grooming potential leaders among hotel staff as well as further developing existing leaders, and one of the more unique methods comes from Valencia Hotel Group. Coming out of COVID, the company started a book club as part of its weekly call for general managers and corporate directors. “Then we realized that everybody wanted to be a part of it,” related Trent Freeman, VP of operations. “So now, anybody in the company is welcome to participate, and the biggest buy-in we see is from people that are aspiring to be better leaders.”

In addition to building leadership skills, the book club fosters engagement with the company and camaraderie among associates. “We have found that the books that are either in fable format or speak from a personal point of view based on personal experience help keep everyone engaged and excited about what we are learning together,” he explained. 

Freeman provides his personal top 10 books from the club, in no particular order:

Excellence Wins, by Horst Schulze

The Servant, by James C. Hunter

The Leader Who Had No Title, by Robin Sharma

Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara

The Power of Positive Leadership, by Jon Gordon

The Ideal Team Player, by Patrick Lencioni

It’s Your Ship, by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

The Wisdom of the Bullfrog, by Admiral William H. McRaven

Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Growing Influence, by Ron Price and Stacy Ennis GS

George Seli
George Seli
George Seli is the editor of LODGING.

RELATED ARTICLES

Accor Drives Growth and Performance in New Signings for 2025

PARIS, France—Accor shared an overview of its 2024 development activity and growth prospects for 2025. In 2024, Accor expanded its portfolio with the opening...

Hotel Seville Nomad Transitions to Hyatt’s Unbound Collection

CHICAGO, Illinois—Allen Gross, chairman of GFI Hospitality, announc­­­ed the transition of the former James NoMad Hotel to Hotel Seville NoMad, joining the Unbound Collection...

My Place Hotel-Savannah Airport/Pooler Opens

ABERDEEN, South Dakota—My Place Hotels of America has announced the opening of My Place Hotel-Savannah Airport/Pooler, Georgia, in Pooler, Georgia. The hotel is owned...

Hunter Hotel Advisors Brokers Sale of Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East

ATLANTA, Georgia—Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East. HBS Investment Group purchased the property from an institutional seller...

Capitalizing on Extended-Stay Demand With the Right Brand Partner

Vinny Patel, CEO of real estate investment, development and management firm VMV Capital, has found success in the Southeastern U.S. hotel market by specializing...

AHLA: Technology Can Assist With Attracting and Retaining Hotel Workforce

WASHINGTON—As hotels continue to climb towards pre-pandemic staffing levels, they are also leveraging new tools and technologies to grow and retain their workforces and...