Loews Hotels - Stephanie Ahoni
Summary
In this episode, Tia Graham interviews Stephanie Ahoni, the director of meetings and events for Loews Hotels in Los Angeles. They discuss the importance of focusing on people’s lives outside of work, creating meaningful connections, and strategies for being a leader that people want to work for. They also talk about staying happy and well as a leader, prioritizing relationships, and the challenges faced by leaders in the changing world of work.
Contact information
Stephanie Ahoni: Director of Meetings and Events for Lowe’s Hotels in Los Angeles. Stephanie has held many leadership positions with organizations such as Blavity, the London Marriott, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Topics discussed
The changing world of work and its impact on leaders
The importance of understanding and addressing the challenges people face outside of work
Building meaningful relationships with team members
Balancing goals, results, and wellness in the workplace
The need for personal development and tools to help people grow
Celebrating wins and savoring positive moments
The role of self-compassion and mindfulness in staying happy as a leader
How large organizations can increase morale and motivation through listening and action
Key takeaways
Leaders need to understand and address the challenges people face outside of work, as these external factors have a significant impact on their performance and well-being.
Building meaningful relationships with team members is crucial for creating an engaged and motivated workforce.
Balancing goals, results, and wellness is essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining a positive work environment.
Leaders should prioritize personal development and provide tools and encouragement for their team members to grow as individuals.
Celebrating wins, big and small, and savoring positive moments can boost morale and motivation.
Self-compassion, mindfulness, and self-care are essential for staying happy and well as a leader.
Large organizations should listen to their employees and take action on their ideas to increase morale and motivation.
Notable quotes
“People are battling all the things that are happening outside of work, and they bring that to work. The most important thing with your team is understanding them and building relationships.” - Stephanie Ahoni
“If we can understand that and show understanding and empathy when people come to you, you have your one-on-ones with your team members, that is your chance to have a conversation with them. And more often than not, a lot of times we want to use that as a checklist on our goals and what we need to get done. But if we’re not listening to them and understanding everything that’s happening in their world, we aren’t really giving them the opportunity to bring their best selves to work and their whole selves to work.” - Stephanie Ahoni
“It’s not about being transactional. You know, I think once upon a time, it was like, you get a paycheck, you have a job. That’s not what people are seeking anymore. They’re seeking to have a relationship, to have a connection, a real connection, and make an impact.” - Stephanie Ahoni
“Celebrating what you’ve accomplished, as well as what your team has accomplished, and making sure that those moments are taken on a regular basis is important. You know, every single contract that comes in, every single lead, every single person that you talk to, we had a great day because we talked to three new clients.” - Stephanie Ahoni
“Leaders need to listen to their employees and take action. People want to feel like they’re heard, and that’s what empowers and motivates them.” - Stephanie Ahoni
Keywords
leadership, work-life balance, relationships, wellness, personal development, results, goals, celebration, self-compassion, mindfulness, self-care, listening, action