A prompt hotel manager is one of the most important elements of any successful hotel. He is the one who pulls all the threads intact behind the scenes.
The general manager of a hotel must be able to keep a balance of various responsibilities and tasks. Successful hotel managers have certain skills which help them combine all the necessary qualities them help that to achieve success in the field. The top 7 skills every hotel manager should possess include excellent communication, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, operational knowledge, leadership, team building, and good listening ability.
The 7 essential skills that one should look for in a hotel manager are-
- Great communication skills
Hotel managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their buildings, resolving issues between employees or guests, keeping up to date on procedural changes, staying informed through trade journals, and more. Hotel managers are often considered the public face of the hotel, so having excellent communication skills is necessary for them to meet the demands of the position. Managers must always present themselves in a reverent, empathetic and professional manner. If you cannot communicate your expectations, needs and opinions to your staff, you are unlikely to achieve your goals as a manager.
- Interpersonal skills
Communication is key, and interpersonal skills are an important component of effective communication. Ultimately, it is the manager’s job to keep guests and employees happy. Under stress, a manager must be able to establish honor, professionalism, patience and understanding. Hotel managers often deal with an assorted group of people from across the world. They will unavoidably encounter unpleasant personalities and unusual international traditions or desires, so they must be able to listen and adapt.
- Detail-oriented
To ensure that every guest has a memorable experience, managers must pay attention to details as big as security issues and as small as tending to fresh flowers in the lobby. Delegating tasks to employees is an important aspect of management. Managers must constantly make sure that goals are being met, responsibilities are not being neglected, and the system is working as intended. Multitasking is critical when it comes to overseeing multiple aspects of the hotel, so detail orientation is one of the most important skills for hotel management managers.
- Operational skills
The daily tasks of hotel managers require a basic knowledge of hotel operations. Most hotel managers have acquired their operational knowledge either by entering the industry or by completing a graduate degree. Without a basic understanding of concepts such as accounting, human resource management, or cost control, managers are unable to make the decisions required on a daily basis.
- Leadership skills
To be a successful hotel manager, one must possess strong leadership skills. They must be willing to listen, boost employee morale, resolve problems decisively, and give employees accountability. From guests to staff and maintenance, there are so many moving parts in hotels that a strong leader is needed to ensure the success of every unit.
- Team-building
It’s important to remember that your hotel staff is constantly dealing with guests. A stressful team environment will show in the relationships between staff and guests. If your employees are stressed, have conflicts with colleagues, or are otherwise unhappy, they run the risk of negatively impacting their customer service. Building a collaborative and open team environment will help improve both the productivity of your employees and the service you provide to your guests.
- Must possess a good listening ability
A good leader knows the importance of listening to his or her employees to understand their concerns and to help them develop and learn. A good leader, in turn, listens to develop his or her own expertise as well, knowing that no matter how good he or she is, he or she can always learn something from others.