A few weeks ago at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, one of those truly great, unscripted moments happened: The “View From the Top” CEO panel took the general session stage, and seated at the far end of the six-person lineup was the lone female, Gilda Perez-Alvarado, global CEO of the Hotels & Hospitality Group at JLL.
During introductions, her panelist neighbor Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality, turned to her and asked, “Why did they seat you at the end?”
Perez-Alvarado answered, “Maybe I’m at the beginning.”
The crowd went wild, and the photo here shows Palleschi’s reaction.
In the days since I posted this story and photo on LinkedIn, it’s garnered 62,000 views, 781 reactions and 62 comments.
The best comment comes from Perez-Alvarado herself, stating simply, “It’s all about perspective.”
Isn’t it though?
Guys, the hospitality industry is back here in the United States and in so many places around the world in that we are gathering to have meetings to talk about our industry. We’re staging large and small investment conferences, regional events, board meetings, association meetings and even team meetings with whatever team we have left.
I go to all those big investment conferences, so that’s where my perspective comes from, but what I’m here to say applies to every single gathering you organize among your business associates, your peers or your company.
Bring different perspectives to the tables and to the stages at these events. Different perspectives equals different ideas, and that different idea may be the game-changer.
After being “off the circuit” for more than a year, let me tell you just how glaring it is now when the same voices and faces take the main stages to have what essentially boils down to the same conversations.
It’s a tiny bit boring, to be honest. I don't get many story ideas from those panels that feature the same people over and over, so I doubt any of you get that many new ideas to help your companies. That’s too bad, because new ideas sure could help right now.
Here’s the thing: Yes, a lot of this responsibility to diversify perspectives — and therefore ideas — falls on the people who set the agendas and organize the events.
But not all of it. This is where advocacy comes in. I know we’re all operating lean these days on all levels, but chances are that means we’ve gotten to know the people in our organizations a little better. If you’re one of those “I’m always asked to speak” people, maybe you start to identify that person who could present at that meeting in your place, who could sit on that stage and offer a different perspective or could take the meeting with the CEO in your place. Bring up that name as an alternative.
And if you’re an “I’d love to speak” person, or even an “I’m not sure if I can, but I know I’m tired of hearing these same people” person, challenge yourself to raise your hand once.
Oh, and here’s another thing. Women, people of color, folks who may be a little more in demand: It’s OK to say no if the event and timing don’t jibe for you. The pressure will be on to Represent At All Times and Always Say Yes, and nobody needs that these days.
As always, let me know what you think. Email me, or find me on Twitter or LinkedIn to let me know.
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