#172: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former CEO of Celebrity Cruises – Persistence pays off
Feb 1, 2024
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Learn from Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former CEO of Celebrity Cruises, about persistence and overcoming obstacles as a leader. Discover how to better understand customer needs, deal with doubt, adjust leadership style, and unite a team. Gain insights into the changing definition of luxury and how Celebrity Cruises celebrated International Women's Day. Dive deep into leadership skills with the How Leaders Lead app or sign up for coaching from David Novak's Weekly Leadership Plan.
Persistence is crucial for leaders to overcome obstacles and drive success.
Transforming a brand requires clear vision, understanding customer needs, and challenging industry misconceptions.
Deep dives
Leadership through Persistence and Overcoming Obstacles
In this podcast episode, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the former CEO of Celebrity Cruises, shares her experiences and insights on leadership, specifically focusing on the importance of persistence and overcoming obstacles. She emphasizes the need to face challenges head-on and turn them into opportunities for success. Lutoff-Perlo discusses her journey of becoming the first woman CEO of Celebrity Cruises and the numerous obstacles she faced, including gender bias, rejection, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares her determination to persistently pursue her goals and prove her detractors wrong. Lutoff-Perlo highlights the importance of handling setbacks with elegance and professionalism, maintaining a strong sense of vision, and continuously striving for personal and professional growth.
Transforming a Brand through Vision and Determination
Lutoff-Perlo discusses her role as CEO of Celebrity Cruises and the transformation she brought to the brand. She reveals how she repositioned the brand and significantly improved its financial performance. Lutoff-Perlo takes pride in the awards received by the fleet and the exceptional experiences provided to guests. She shares her determination to change the perception of cruising as a luxury travel option and to deliver high-quality experiences at scale. Through a focus on innovative ship designs, enhanced dining experiences, and luxurious accommodations, Lutoff-Perlo successfully challenged the misconception that luxury cannot be achieved on a cruise. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, understanding customers' needs and desires, and staying ahead of industry trends to drive brand transformation.
The Power of Courage and Authentic Leadership
Lutoff-Perlo highlights the significance of courage and authenticity in leadership. She shares personal stories from her childhood that shaped her leadership qualities and her inclination to take charge. Lutoff-Perlo emphasizes the importance of leading with empathy, respect, and an understanding of the individual and collective needs of the team. She discusses the role of shared accountability and the value of creating a culture of respect, collaboration, and transparency. Lutoff-Perlo encourages leaders to lead with heart, empathy, and authenticity, and to foster a positive and nurturing environment for their teams. She also emphasizes the need to adapt leadership style based on the specific circumstances and challenges faced by the team.
Driving Gender Equality and Empowering Women in the Cruise Industry
Lutoff-Perlo shares her achievements in promoting gender equality in the cruise industry and empowering women in leadership positions. She recounts appointing the first female captain in Celebrity Cruises and driving initiatives to increase gender diversity on the bridges of their ships. Lutoff-Perlo highlights the importance of creating a culture that supports and empowers women, as well as the significance of male advocates in driving gender equality. She emphasizes the need for diverse and balanced cultures, and the role of leadership in creating an environment that nurtures and supports every individual's potential. Lutoff-Perlo encourages leaders to challenge gender stereotypes, create opportunities for women, and foster an inclusive and supportive workplace.
If you’re a leader, you’re going to face big obstacles, skepticism, and rejection. How can you tap into the power of persistence to overcome that stuff – and even leverage it to drive success?
Also in this episode:
How to truly dial in what customers want
The mindset you need when others doubt you
Why you might to adjust your leadership style
The key to uniting a team (even when there’s disagreement)
How consumers’ definition of luxury has changed
The groundbreaking way Celebrity Cruises celebrated International Women’s Day
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go
Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day
Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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