In hospitality, where service and leadership intersect in every moment, success is rarely the result of a single bold move. More often, it grows from the daily habits leaders practice and the guiding traits that shape their decisions over time. Conversations from It’s Personal Stories interviews highlight a timeless truth: great leaders don’t just rise to the occasion, they cultivate practices that sustain them and inspire those around them.

Before examining the habits that elevate great leaders, it’s important to recognize the foundational qualities every respected leader is expected to embody: honesty, integrity, dependability, hard work, dedication, trustworthiness, respect for others, accountability, and humility. These traits are the price of entry in hospitality, the non-negotiable values that earn leaders credibility and the right to be followed. Yet, as many of our guests on It’s Personal Stories emphasize, these fundamentals alone do not distinguish exceptional leaders. What sets truly inspiring leaders apart are the additional practices they cultivate over time; the habits that shape vision, deepen collaboration, strengthen listening, and fuel continual growth. The following six ideas reflect those higher-order behaviors that transform solid character into meaningful leadership impact.

1. Vision Anchored in Purpose

Leaders who define their vision through values find clarity and resilience during both growth and crisis. Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, captured this perfectly: “Purpose-driven leadership resonates more deeply and endures longer.” Anchoring decisions in purpose helps leaders align teams, strengthen cultures, and ensure their organizations remain authentic through change.

2. Building Collaboration

True leadership is not about going it alone but about creating an environment where teams thrive together. Robert Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Northstar Travel Group, observed: “Cohesive collaboration is at the heart of meaningful progress.” Leaders who foster collaboration turn diversity of thought into innovation, ensuring that collective intelligence drives organizational success.

3. Listening as a Daily Habit

Leadership is often equated with having answers, yet the most effective leaders stress the importance of listening. Greg Juceam, CEO of Extended Stay America, framed it simply: “When people feel heard, they give you their best.” By making active listening a daily habit, leaders foster trust, unlock creativity, and ensure every voice feels valued. In a people-driven industry like hospitality, that trust becomes a competitive advantage.

4. Developing Others and Taking Genuine Interest in People

Great leaders understand that their greatest legacy is not in what they achieve, but in the people they develop. Alison Taylor, Former Chief Customer Officer at American Airlines, captures this mindset simply and powerfully: “Be the person who lifts others.” Her perspective underscores that leadership is most meaningful when it elevates those around us. Tony Capuano, President & CEO of Marriott, reinforces this in organizational terms, reminding us that “our companies will succeed or fail based on our ability to…develop and retain our key talent.” Developing others is not a side responsibility; it is central to long-term success. Together, these insights reveal a universal truth: Leaders who invest in people, who listen, challenge, and support them, create teams that thrive and cultures that endure.

5. Taking Ownership of Continuous Growth

Career success doesn’t just happen, it requires deliberate effort outside of day-to-day responsibilities. Greg Kennealey, CEO of Peregrine Hospitality, emphasized: “Ultimately, your career is up to you…You can do a great job in your current role, but you also have to have the discipline to invest in your future by spending incremental, extra time increasing your value.” By treating learning, networking, and skill-building as ongoing habits, leaders create compounding advantages that position them for long-term success.

6. Confidence in Small Wins

Growth doesn’t happen in sweeping leaps but through steady, incremental progress. Amanda Hite, President of STR, a subsidiary of CoStar Group, explained: “Resilience often emerges from learning and adapting, not from fearing failure.” By embracing small wins and framing setbacks as opportunities for learning, leaders build confidence not only in themselves but also in their organizations. This patient, consistent approach lays the groundwork for long-term achievement.

Closing Thought

What emerges across these stories is a shared belief that leadership is not defined by title or authority, but by habits that reflect character: the humility to listen, the generosity to mentor, a continuous learning mindset, the courage to embrace collaboration and celebrate small wins. Leaders in hospitality remind us that greatness is rarely achieved in a single moment; it is built over time, one decision, one habit, and one story at a time.