Everyone can use a little bit of Hospitality!
As the Student Affairs Program Manager for The International School of Hospitality (TISOH), I often ask our students why they want to pursue a career in hospitality. Some of the most inspiring answers are that they like to make people feel happy and welcomed. But what really puts everything into perspective is when students begin to realize that hospitality exists in every career field, and that the skills, abilities and attitudes that lead to success in the industry are useful in anywhere. Below are just a few of the ways that hospitality translates across industries:
The industry teaches patience.
There are always times when jobs are stressful. It’s then that employees have to reach deep for tolerance, professionalism and patience. Working in hospitality, trains people to maintain their composure and focus on solutions instead of dwelling on problems.
Hospitality encourages the development of everlasting relationships.
Working in hospitality, people have the opportunity to interact with all sorts of personalities and with different cultures from around the. Every job requires some interaction between customers and employees and communication is very important for success in any workplace. Building and maintaining relationships, in any industry, is essential for growth.
There is no work but teamwork.
Employees of different backgrounds and experience levels have to work together to exceed guest expectations and create lasting memories. Working with, for, and among diverse people takes practice, but every hospitality worker learns quickly to respect the advice of co-workers in order to get the job done.
There is no hospitality without genuine care for others.
Every hospitality industry employee is taught to work with a smile regardless of the situation. In almost all cases, from simple misunderstandings to full-blown crises, guests want to know that someone cares; empathy is a hallmark of the hospitality industry, but genuine care for others is a universal attitude that makes any employee, in any industry, a better one.
Our students at TISOH are taught that hospitality isn’t so much about business as it is about people. Making people feel welcome by caring for them and showing patience even in the more difficult times, and working together with other employees and guests to build relationships that make all parties happy is what hospitality really is … and that, I think, is a lesson worth learning in any industry.
