Relevance, Humanity, and Leadership Built Through Lifelong Learning

Brian King’s extraordinary journey, from a Residence Inn front desk to President of Marriott International’s Caribbean and Latin America region, demonstrates how curiosity, humility, and continuous learning shape enduring leadership. Brian shares how early lessons in service, night audit, and unit-level economics opened his eyes to the business and investment engine behind hospitality. Mentors encouraged him to zigzag through roles, building a career defined not by titles but by a library of skills, from reinventing reservation systems to leading global brands and navigating intense industry disruption.

He emphasizes managing through influence, not authority, and always starting “with the audience in mind”, a mindset that has allowed him to work effectively with investors, asset managers, governments, and hotel teams across cultures. His principles of listening, observing, and seeking context allow him to connect dots across operations, technology, finance, and human behavior. Brian’s leadership through the pandemic showcased the power of unity, advocacy, and humanity at scale.

His reflections remind listeners that relevancy must be constantly earned, people deserve safety and clarity, and joy should be intentionally woven into every day. Above all, he believes hospitality transforms lives, especially when leaders lift others as they rise.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• "Start with the audience in mind."
• "You can learn so much just by listening and observing."
• "We weren’t victims, we were victorious."
• "Context is everything."
• "Short‑term sacrifice for long‑term gratification."

Closing Reflection

Brian King’s story reflects leadership grounded in humility, relevance, and genuine care for people. His journey inspires professionals to stay curious, embrace change, and serve with intention, because great leaders create safety, lift others, and build futures rooted in purpose.