The Adaptive Leader: Thriving in New Cultures - Leanne Harwood, IHG

In this episode, Leanne Harwood, SVP and Managing Director of Luxury and Lifestyle Brands in the Americas for IHG, shares her fascinating career journey from bartending at a ski resort to leading six iconic hotel brands across the Americas.

Listeners will learn:

• The pivotal moments that shaped Leanne's career, including her first expat role in Vietnam (02:45) and transitioning from hotel operations to corporate leadership (07:56)
• Practical tips for adapting to new cultures and environments when moving for work (04:38)
• The importance of mentorship in building confidence and navigating unfamiliar settings (09:42)
• Strategies for staying calm and composed under pressure (13:19)

Mentions:

• Vietnam (02:56)
• Saigon (03:17)
• Australia (03:06)
• Georgia, USA (07:18)
• Europe (10:22)
• New Zealand (10:43)
• Karin Sheppard, Managing Director for Europe at IHG (10:11)

Listen to more episodes with Leanne: 

• Scent, Spice, and Service: The Sensory World of Six Senses
• Inside IHG’s People Programs: Creating Leaders in Hospitality
• The Secret to Profit and Guest Satisfaction? Clarity in Leadership

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands