EP 27 - Building Powerful Teams in the Hospitality Industry with Melissa DelBuono Artwork

Hiring Happy Humans

With nearly 20 years of HR experience, Dawn, the President of Sipley The Best shares expert advice on the hiring process for both Employers and Job Seekers. On this podcast, we interview folks from all walks of life, from CEO's to industry experts sharing up-to-date trends. Dawn is a transparent and direct communicator, revealing things you wish your HR Dept would!

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Hiring Happy Humans

EP 27 - Building Powerful Teams in the Hospitality Industry with Melissa DelBuono

January 03, 2024 • Dawn Sipley • Season 2 • Episode 27

Today Dawn speaks with Melissa DelBuono, the Senior Director for Travel Funders Network. Melissa is a leader and entrepreneur in the hospitality industry who has advanced through a variety of positions to reach her current role as a team leader and mentor. Hear about Melissa’s experiences managing the competition, demand, sexism, and diversity in hospitality operations, as well as her insights on building powerful teams. A cancer survivor and advocate for building resiliency as a working professional, Melissa shares powerful lessons on finding your purpose and passion within the world of work.

You can learn more about Melissa and read some of her publications here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-delbuono-ms-cha-cham-08095634/

Melissa's Articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelalpiner/2021/02/09/travel-industry-professionals-seek-new-horizons-after-pandemic-losses/?sh=34bca1081d36

https://www.hotel-online.com/tag/project-save-hospitality/

https://aspireship.com/do-i-stay-or-do-i-go-how-project-save-hospitality-is-helping-industry-peers-rethink-their-career/

Timestamps for today’s session:

00:00 - Intro

3:12 - Hidden careers within the hospitality industry

5:04 - Challenges of running a hotel

8:03 - Melissa’s cancer diagnosis and impact on her leadership and resilience

9:52 - Importance of active listening, emotion regulation, and empathy for leaders

13:13 - What led Melissa to the hospitality industry and background mentoring high risk children

16:50 - Traits of a trusted mentor and female empowerment in the hospitality industry

19:00 - Embracing strengths of being female entrepreneurs and executive

23:00 - Handling sexism and sex-related comments at work

27:18 - Keeping information confidential and training staff on confidentiality

30:20 - Encountering diversity when working in the hospitality industry

35:22 - Building strong teams by hiring for motivation and skills, rather than job titles

40:47 - Playing the infinite game in hospitality

41:40 - Knowing how to retain and terminate as a leader

43:45 - Most memorable days as a hospitality leader

47:00 - Melissa’s career goals, vision, and trajectory

50:38 - Impacting the room through your presence, identity, and story

52:11 - Advice you would give your 18-year-old self

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Find more about Dawn Sipley & her HR services at:
www.sipleythebest.com