The blank slate of a new year is the perfect time to take stock and set goals for the months ahead. This is why so many companies work to solidify their annual strategic plans during these first few weeks.
However, success in 2025 doesn’t just hinge on a business plan — industry leaders must also rise to meet the occasion, intentionally seeking out opportunities for improvement, reflection and growth. After all, progress begins with a clear vision and a commitment to ongoing development.
For those in hospitality leadership positions — regardless of whether it be at a corporate, property, or department level — there are several ways to bolster your team and yourself in the new year.
Here are five New Year’s resolutions that might help focus your goals for 2025.
1. Foster a positive workplace culture
A strong culture leads to strong business results, so this should be a top focus for any leader looking to hone their skills in 2025. There is no right way to foster a positive workplace culture — so much depends on the people who comprise your team and their environment. Initiatives that work for one team may have zero impact on another. As such, the first step for a hospitality leader looking to make improvements is to watch, listen, learn and really get to know your team. Be a sounding board, absorb everything, reflect on it and then act. Prioritize conversations with members of your team at all levels. Purposeful communication can strengthen connections and drive a more unified approach.
Also, remember that the team culture you want starts with you as a leader. If you want to build a culture of accessibility and collaboration, be accessible and collaborative. Keep your door open. Ask your team how they’re doing. Find opportunities for different teams to work together and encourage a dialogue. A positive culture doesn’t just happen, it takes deliberate, strategic work to create one.
2. Advocating for hospitality
Hospitality offers an incredible wealth of career paths for ambitious individuals from revenue management to social media, training to interior design, sales to quality assurance. However, people outside of our industry are often unaware of the breadth of opportunities available. Hospitality leaders need to be vocal advocates for the industry, promote the wide-ranging career opportunities, build strong brands and strategically engage with the next generation of hospitality professionals to bring top-tier talent into our industry.
One way hospitality leaders can attract talent is by visiting colleges and universities to discuss the opportunities in our industry. In 2024, I sat down with students from North Carolina Central University and Morgan State University to speak about hospitality and answer their questions. It’s one of my favorite memories from last year.
3. Support professional development
Once you have that top-tier talent in house, you must find ways to help them continue their career journeys through ongoing professional development. Leverage internal resources to create courses that bolster their industry knowledge and prepare them for future career moves. If the employee is looking to external courses, be flexible with their schedules so that they can further their skill sets. Give them opportunities to share what they’ve learned with the broader team so that everyone can benefit from expanded knowledge.
Also consider creating a formal mentorship program. Mentors can be an invaluable resource to professionals in all levels of their career, helping them navigate challenges and grow both professionally and personally. I’m forever grateful for the mentors I’ve had throughout my career and I continue to stay in touch with them.
4. Strengthen personal leadership skills
Professional development extends beyond the team. Seek ways to further hone your leadership skills in the new year and be honest with yourself about your weaknesses. Take courses, attend webinars, listen to podcasts and read books to help you develop your abilities. Talk to your own mentors about how they rose to their current position. If you want to see significant growth in this area of your career, don’t wait for opportunities to arise — create them.
5. Prioritize self-care
Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessary investment in your resilience and energy, allowing you to show up as your best self for both personal and professional commitments. It is almost impossible to be a successful leader if you’re tired and burned out. Be aware of your own needs and take the time to recharge when necessary. Whether it’s through rest, exercise, mindfulness or pursuing hobbies you love, taking care of yourself creates a foundation for long-term success and happiness.
As we dive into 2025, thoughtfully focusing on areas such as culture, talent, development, leadership and self-care can help set the stage for a successful year. By prioritizing growth in these areas, hospitality leaders can build stronger teams and achieve measurable — and sustainable — results in the new year and beyond.
Sarah Dinger is executive vice president of franchise operations at My Place Hotels of America.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or CoStar Group and its affiliated companies. Bloggers published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to contact an editor with any questions or concern.