Anthony Rutledge, a speaker at ALIS, shares his views on empowerment.
In today’s hospitality landscape, empowerment is not just a leadership buzzword. It is a strategy that is reshaping how hotels attract, engage, and retain talent. As labor challenges continue to influence the industry, hotel leaders are placing greater emphasis on building cultures where employees feel trusted, supported, and invested in their own success.
That theme was front and center at ALIS, where Anthony Rutledge, CEO and Managing Partner of HEI Hotels + Resorts, joined fellow executives to discuss how empowerment plays a critical role in long term performance.
Empowerment Begins With Trust
Across the hospitality industry, leaders are recognizing that pay and benefits alone are no longer enough to keep great people. Employees want autonomy, clarity, and confidence that leadership trusts them to make decisions that matter. Empowerment gives team members the tools and authority to act while staying aligned with the organization’s goals.
Rutledge emphasized that empowerment works best when expectations are clear and teams are well prepared. When employees understand the mission and feel supported, they are better positioned to make smart decisions in real time, whether they are interacting with guests or leading their teams.
Building Lasting Value for Employees
One of Rutledge’s most compelling insights was that hospitality careers should create value that lasts beyond a single role or property. Many people choose hospitality not for recognition, but to support their families and build a better future.
From his perspective, empowerment means investing in people in ways that make them more valuable throughout their careers. That includes skill development, leadership opportunities, and a clear path for growth. When employees see a future, they are more engaged in the present.
Why Empowerment Supports Retention
Empowered employees are more confident, more engaged, and more likely to stay. When people feel heard and trusted, they develop a stronger connection to their workplace. That connection helps reduce turnover, strengthen teams, and improve the guest experience.
In a competitive hiring environment, empowerment has become a true differentiator. Organizations that foster trust and personal growth are better equipped to retain talent and build resilient cultures.
A People Focused Approach at HEI
At HEI Hotels + Resorts, empowerment is more than a discussion point. It is part of how leaders approach talent development and culture. By prioritizing opportunity, recognition, and long term growth, HEI continues to invest in its people as its most important asset.
As conversations at ALIS reinforced, the future of hospitality will be shaped by organizations that put people first. Empowerment is not just good leadership. It is smart business.
Read the full article:
How Hotel Execs View Empowerment as a Way to Attract, Retain Talent on CoStar
https://www.costar.com/article/315597573/how-hotel-execs-view-empowerment-as-a-way-to-attract-retain-talent