WHEREVER YOU GO, GO AS A LEADER. The first line of the Carlson Credo is: “Wherever you go, go as a leader.” Curt Carlson, our founder, knew that leadership is not only a core value, but a business imperative. It is so important that we devoted our 2014 Values Day program to the topic. It is also an element of Vision 20/20: Developing Talent. We are developing tomorrow’s leaders today. During Values Day, we asked Carlsonians what leadership means to them. The answers were wide-ranging, motivating and worthy of compiling for future reference. We trust that this collection of Carlsonian thoughts and sentiments on leadership will inspire you and help you to become an even better leader. As we learned, whatever job you hold in the company, you have an opportunity to be a leader – to make a difference. You can lead from wherever you are, and make your own unique contributions to our success. Leadership is about being the best you can be, and leading others on their journey to unlock their potential. At Carlson, we are collectively responsible and accountable for the success of our company. Every job and every task is important and appreciated. Aristotle said it best: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The design of this leadership E-book was inspired by the chalkboard erected in our Minneapolis headquarters for Values Day. When I walked into our employee entrance and saw the heartfelt sentiments on leadership, I was moved by the many thought-provoking comments. All of the quotes you will read in this notebook were written by your Carlson colleagues. As you read this collection of their thoughts on leadership, I hope you, too, will be inspired. Enjoy.
Trudy Rautio President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlson
Whatever you do, do with integrity. wherever you go, go as a leader. whomever you serve, serve with caring. whenever you dream, dream with your all. and never, ever give up. Curtis L. Carlson Founder
a leader is someone who takes responsibility for their actions and helps others develop to their fullest potential, someone who helps guide others through their work and provides resources for growth. darcy best front desk representative radisson Hotel La Crosse
leadership is not being afraid to fail; leadership is never being satisfied; leadership is developing and growing talent; leadership is not what you can’t do but what you can bring to others. dan countryman specialist digital direct programs
leadership is helping others unlock their potential.
be a teacher. be patient. want to make a difference. create a space where people are comfortable enough to share their ideas.
leadership is inspiring others to take action and take accountability for outcomes relentlessly asking “What is next?� john zurn, senior director reservations and customer care carlson rezidor hotel group
set a direction and unleash the power of your organization. suzy riesterer executive vice president and chief commercial and finance officer carlson rezidor hotel group
find value in each person to create a great team. be approachable. find the fun in our daily tasks.
leadership is knowing when to lead and when to let others lead and be a cheerleader.
empowering those around you to be comfortable enough to make the best of themselves and, by proxy, the best of those around them. douglas wolf senior technical analyst carlson
leadership is responding with enthusiasm, being a role model, leading by example, going above and beyond, helping others as I would want to be helped/treated. scott Imhoff, manager sales and Intermediaries carlson rezidor hotel group
Identify a need and influence others to help solve or fulfill the need.
leadership is doing the right thing.
Leadership is finding the right people, putting them in the right roles, AND moving out of THEIR way, lending SUPPORT and direction WHERE needed, but allowing your team to fly. betsy bongard Human resources delivery consultant carlson rezidor hotel group
a leader serves others, develops others, does what’s right even if unpopular. brad hall chief financial officer carlson
share new ideas, allow creativity, take a personal interest, offer guidance, allow individualism.
lead by example, allowing team to do what they do best while removing obstacles along the way.
leadership is communication, setting a good example, always willing to help... recognizing variances in abilities and working with them, fostering development, promoting a “team� atmosphere. troy bye restaurant supervisor radisson hotel la crosse
leadership is listening, being humble, and making decisions, taking risks, trusting collaboration. Javier rosenberg chief operating officer, americas, and executive vice president, owned and managed hotels carlson rezidor hotel group
set clear expectations and provide direction while encouraging flexibility and credibility on how you get there.
leadership means sharing my vision for the future to help others to move in the same direction. phil mCDONALD DIRECTOR, sourcing operations carlson
LEADERSHIP IS NOT JUST ABOUT MANAGING OTHERS. IT’S ABOUT DEVELOPING OTHERS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS ALONG WITH THE GOALS OF THE COMPANY.
LEADERS RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITIES AND TALENT AND THEN ENABLE EMPLOYEES TO MAKE THE OPPORTUNITY COME TO FRUITION.
LEADERSHIP MEANS TAKING A STEP TOWARD THE UNKNOWN, BEING THE FIRST, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS. MONICA RAMIREZ COORDINATOR, franchise operations carlson rezidor hotel group
LEADERSHIP IS THE ABILITY TO LEAD AND FOLLOW AT THE SAME TIME. THE ABILITY TO MOtIVATE, ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT BEYOND REQUIREMENTS. JOEL MACHakaire senior specialist, accounting carlson
BE ABLE TO DO HARD THINGS AND GET OTHERS TO DO HARD THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
LEADERSHIP IS CONFIDENCE, WALKING THE TALK, TAKING INITIATIVE, BEING UNPOPULAR WHEN NEEDED, DELEGATING AND USING YOUR PEOPLE TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.
A LEADER HARNESSES THE TALENT AND SKILLS OF TEAM MEMBERS TO ACHIEVE COLLECTIVE GOALS. SANDY LOEFFLER TEAM LEAD, systems development CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
LEADERSHIP IS DEVELOPING AND THEN ARTICULATING A VALUE-BASED VISION AND THEN INSPIRING OTHERS TO WORK TOWARD THAT VISION. JARED GARNER ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL carlson rezidor hotel group
TAKE THE REINS AND MOVE TOWARD A GOAL.
LEADERSHIP IS THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS TO IMPROVE OUR BUSINESS, BETTER EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT.
LEADERSHIP IS MAKING UP YOUR MIND AND EXECUTING YOUR PLAY, STAYING MOTIVATED, KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE, LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES, CELEBRATING YOUR MISTAKES. AMY COYNE SENIOR ACCOUNTANT carlson
lEADERSHIP IS INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. STEPHANIE LOPATO manager, BRAND MArketing, RADISSON CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
LEAD WITH ACTIONS MORe THAN WORDS. SHOW IT’S OKAY TO FAIL.
DON’T WAIT FOR PROFOUND MOMENTS. IT’S NOT RANK, IT’S REsPECT.
LEADERSHIP IS ALLOWING OTHERS TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY FAIL ALONG THE WAY. RYAN METKO DIRECTOR, audit carlson
LEADERSHIP IS HAVING AN OPEN MIND TO LISTEN TO OTHERS, ACCEPT CRITICISM AND FEEDBACK AND EMBRACE A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE. JAY FURNALd DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER INSIGHTS carlson rezidor hotel group
LEADERSHIP IS ENCOURAGING OTHERS BY SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS, VALUES AND EXPERIENCES.
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LEADERSHIP IS LEADING BY EXAMPLE, HAVING AN OPEN MIND, ALLOWING OTHERS TO MAKE MISTAKES, COACHING.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ WENDY MOTZKO
MANAGER, FINANCE ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MANAGED/OWNED HOTELS
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
BEING SELFLESS, ENCOURAGING, COURAGEOUS, TAKING ACTION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
LEADERSHIP IS HAVING THE INTELLECT, DETERMINATION AND VISION TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER OTHERS TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH ACHIEVEMENT OF SHARED GOALS. TODD FOLBRECHT VIcE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS carlson rezidor hotel group
BE OPEN. LISTEN TO IDEAS FROM EMPLOYEES.
LEADERSHIP IS INCLUSIVENESS. ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS AND LISTEN TO THE ANSWERS. KATHLEEN MALLERY SENIOR DIRECTOR REVENUE OPTIMIZATION CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
A LEADER IS COURAGEOUS AND BOLD.
leadership is more about the team than the individual. caroline larson, director training and program development carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is directing the energy/creativity toward a common goal. adam lesperance security analyst carlson
LEADERSHIP IS PUSHING BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE, TESTING YOUR LIMITS, BEING WILLING TO FAIL AND HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. TAMMY LEE STANOCH VICE PRESIDENT CORPORATE AFFAIRS CARLSON
LEADERSHIP IS INSPIRING OTHERS TO COLLABORATE AND WORK AS A TEAM, DO THEIR BEST, FIND THEIR OWN PASSION.
remember that all jobs at all levels have opportunities to lead every day and being a part of it. marnae troxel club carlson operations manager carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is fostering a work environment to exercise innovative thinking.
leadership can come from anywhere in the company. You don’t need a big, fancy or important title to be a leader.
leadership is being supportive, creating a safe environment, ensuring tools for success are available, being flexible. Jeffrey freund vice president operations carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is providing guidance, inspiration and clear expectations of the direction in which we should be going. elizabeth hankey manager, mobile commerce & Experience carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership means helping others to become the best they can be.
leadership is feeling empowered to make a difference. mackenzie childress brand marketing specialist carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is competence & Credibility, creating conditions for collaboration to occur. mary plunkett, vice president global talent management and development carlson
leadership means knowing when to step up and speak when something does not seem right, feel right, or is driven by the wrong motives. kate weber senior accountant carlson
leadership is inspiration and accountability. ann gilles senior risk management analyst Carlson
leadership is giving others the opportunity to excel. tim johnson, manager technical systems development carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is knowing my strengths and the strengths of others, speaking up. everyone is a leader. give people the space to lead. jan lubar senior director risk management carlson
leadership is knowing how to motivate people so they do more because they want to and not because they have to. carrie harrington administrative assistant carlson
leadership means to not be afraid to speak up and express your ideas.
leadership means listening to and encouraging others.
leadership is empowering employees, empathy, direction, removing obstacles, vision. jeff wermager director revenue optimization carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is bold, thoughtful, challenging, engaging, listening, coaching, changing status quo, reward. joel smollen senior director IT architecture carlson rezidor hotel group
good leadership is getting the best out of myself and those around me. Rose Anderson, vice president, branding carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is motivating/supporting others, seeking views of others/new perspective, seeing a purpose, love what you do and believe in it. dan mcshane SENIOR auditOR CARLSON
leadership is the integrity to lead by example and not stray. jeff johnson, director INFORMATION SECURITY CARLSON
leadership is listening and serving others, providing vision and opportunity. tony pellegrin senior vice president CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT CARLSON
...someone who leads with communication & strength ... who acknowledges each and every moving part of a team, down to the minor details. a person who deals with stress and rush with a level mind. jaimie wood, pantry cook radisson hotel la crosse
leadership is being flexible to change and integrating many perspectives into one success. kevin baas human resources generalist CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
leadership is caring more about your co-workers and the overall service than yourelf. amanda ruetten server, radisson hotel la crosse
create good energy, allow for mistakes/new learnings. beth nichols, director digital marketing carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is working with your team and peers with honesty, trust, confidentiality and overall caring. judy chRIstopherson senior business support analyst CARLSON
leadership simply means taking a group of people and helping them accomplish their personal best together. ryan larson manager credit and collections CARLSON
set a good example, be inclusive and respectful of others. diane skipton district revenue specialist carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership means encouraging and allowing others to reach their full potential and reach higher ground together. sheila xiong hUMAN RESOURCES DELIVERY COORDINATOR AND EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR CARLSON
leadership is honesty and integrity, positive attitude, commitment, sense of humor, team player, open to change. It’s not about me; It’s about us. siri peter IT quality manager carlson rezidor hotel group
leadership is leading, educating and motivating a group of people toward a common goal. steven dickey district revenue specialist midscale hotels america
leadership is encouraging AND nurturing others to be their best.
a leader,,, trusts others to get the best results. erica cohrs manager benefit operations CARLSON
leadership isn’t just going to appear. you need to seek it out, and you need to embrace it when presented with opportunities. eric gonzalez financial analyst carlson
be supportive and influence. be selfless. find opportunities for others to lead and make a difference. karen tillemans senior director human resources systems and administration carlson
encourage risks. bring multiple perspectives to the table.
challenge yourself and others to bring out their best.
leadership is resolving problems as they occur. setting goals to achieve and passing the goals I set for myself. teresA lassiter housekeeping supervisor radisson nashville
encourage others to do their best. take more chances with people. think outside of the box. carol studenski supervisor accounting CARLSON
wherever you go, go as a leader.
This e-book was published by Carlson Communications. To help save a tree during Responsible Business Action Month, we are sharing it with you online rather than printing it.
Leadership comments from the 4th floor whiteboard in Carlson’s Minneapolis headquarters.