FranklinCovey On Leadership Chip Conley: Wisdom in the Workplace from a Modern Elder
Oct 21, 2025
Chip Conley, a hospitality entrepreneur and founder of the Modern Elder Academy, delves into creativity and culture in the business world. He shares transformative stories from his early days revamping rundown hotels and his impactful role at Airbnb. Conley discusses the importance of storytelling, low-cost culture investments, and how to balance founder energy with potential burnout. He emphasizes the value of wisdom in an AI-driven future, midlife transitions, and the need for intergenerational mentorship, leaving listeners inspired and reflective.
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Humble Origins Of Joie de Vivre
- Chip bought a rundown 44-room motel in San Francisco's Tenderloin at age 26 with limited funds and renovated it himself.
- He transformed it into the first of 52 boutique hotels, launching Joie de Vivre's creative brand.
Build Culture With Low-Cost Rituals
- Invest in culture using low-cost, high-impact rituals like potlucks and customer story sessions.
- Train cultural ambassadors from line staff to improve morale and cross-department connection.
Make Recognition A Leadership Habit
- Use public recognition in leadership meetings to surface positive stories and prompt cross-departmental thank-yous.
- Empower leaders to personally acknowledge employees to increase morale without spending money.
