Innovation is no longer optional in hospitality, it is essential. Technology, shifting guest expectations, workforce transformation, and global disruption have pushed organizations to rethink long-standing models. Across conversations on It’s Personal Stories, leaders consistently reinforce that innovation is not just a tool or initiative, it is a mindset and a disciplined practice. Their insights illuminate why innovation matters, what it requires, and how forward-thinking leaders bring it to life.

1. Innovation Begins With Purpose and Curiosity

Innovation starts long before a new idea emerges. It begins with a mindset of curiosity and a drive to create something better. Matt Clyde, President of Ideas Collide, captured this sentiment when he shared: “Creative outlets and innovation, that’s my fuel. That gets me up in the morning.” For Clyde, curiosity unlocks possibility and fuels the energy needed to explore unfamiliar territory. Likewise, Nicolas Graff, Associate Dean at NYU’s Tisch Center, frames curiosity as the essential bridge between learning and invention: “Curiosity is the bridge between knowledge and innovation.” Leaders who challenge assumptions and look at the world with fresh eyes plant the earliest seeds of innovation.

2. Innovation Requires Courage and the Willingness to Experiment

Breakthroughs rarely come from playing it safe. Leaders must show courage, testing new approaches, taking smart risks, and embracing the discomfort that comes with change. Chip Conley, Co-Founder of the Modern Elder Academy, teaches that emotional intelligence and curiosity must meet bold action. Monika Nerger, Former Global CIO of Mandarin Oriental, reinforces this belief: “Confidence is built one risk at a time.” Innovation demands experimentation. It often requires stepping into ambiguity with the belief that learning, and eventual progress, lies on the other side.

3. Purpose and Culture Make Innovation Sustainable

Without alignment and clarity, innovation falters. Pat Pacious, President & CEO of Choice Hotels International, stresses that transformation succeeds only when teams understand the mission: “Transformation succeeds when people believe in the mission.” Purpose provides direction; culture gives innovation staying power. When people feel supported, safe to speak up, and aligned toward a shared goal, creativity becomes a collective strength rather than an individual act.

4. Discipline and Focus Turn Ideas Into Reality

While innovation is fueled by imagination, it is sustained by disciplined execution. Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO of Skift, observes that constraints often make companies more creative: “Constraints breed creativity, build with what you have.” He built Skift’s innovations by removing distractions and focusing intensely on what mattered most. Structure doesn’t stifle creativity, it channels it.

5. Inclusion Expands the Pool of Ideas

Diverse perspectives lead to stronger solutions. Radhika Papandreou, President, North America of Korn Ferry, emphasizes that innovation grows when leaders stay curious about people and their motivations: “Curiosity keeps leaders relevant and connected.” Engaging voices across generations, backgrounds, and cultures expands the field of possibility. Leaders who foster open dialogue and invite new viewpoints create a fertile environment for innovation.

6. Innovation Emerges From Reflection, Calm, and Intentional Practice

Innovation requires mental space, the quiet moments where ideas take shape. Clyde spoke to this directly in his discussion about stepping back to recharge, observe, and reflect. He noted that if leaders “open their heart and mind,” inspiration is everywhere around them. Simple acts, walking without distraction, paying attention to beauty, or thinking in stillness, become catalysts for creative thought. This echoes the approaches of leaders like Michael Evans, President of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, who encourages leaders to diagnose challenges clearly and pivot thoughtfully. Calm, clarity, and presence are the conditions where innovation thrives.

Closing Reflection: Innovation Is a Leadership Practice

The leaders shaping hospitality’s future agree: innovation is not a trend or a technology, it is a leadership practice. It begins with curiosity, demands courage, thrives on purpose, and is amplified through discipline and inclusion. When organizations create cultures where people feel safe to think boldly, explore ideas, and challenge the status quo, innovation becomes inevitable.

In a world where expectations evolve daily, innovation is how hospitality stays relevant, and how visionary leaders move the industry forward.