Hospitality Daily Podcast Elevating Women and Redefining Leadership: Barbara Muckermann at Kempinski
Sep 19, 2025
Barbara Muckermann shares her inspiring journey as CEO of Kempinski Hotels, focusing on how to elevate women in leadership. She discusses transforming weaknesses into strengths and the importance of creating opportunities rather than protections for aspiring women leaders. Muckermann emphasizes the value of trust and transparency in leadership, offering practical advice on preparation and developing an authentic style. Her insights are a rallying cry for women aiming to break barriers in the hospitality industry.
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Flip Weaknesses Into Advantages
- Barbara Muckermann reframes perceived weaknesses as advantages and uses them strategically in leadership contexts.
- Turning assumptions about you into an "unfair advantage" can create space to prove your competence early.
Female-Led Leadership Call
- Barbara describes a leadership call that had one man and the rest women, surprising the lone male attendee.
- She highlights recent female hires and a growing female leadership presence at Kempinski.
Create Opportunities, Not Protections
- Create opportunities for capable women rather than treating them as fragile or needing protection.
- Give women roles to prove themselves and avoid patronizing safeguards that limit growth.