Alex Cole’s Post

Hi everyone, I hope you had a good weekend. The entire Kraemer family is back in town together and looking forward to a great holiday season! Several people asked me if I really was able to keep silent during my three day retreat last weekend up in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. As hard as it may be to believe, I really did🤫 (I summarized the retreat in last week’s blog post.) One recent update is that I have been approved to become a Forbes magazine contributing author, and I hope to write two articles every month for it. If the timing works out, I will use the Forbes articles as part of my blog posts that my COO Khalid Ali requires me to write every week!!!🤣 The first Forbes article was included in an earlier blog post. An excerpt of the second Forbes article is included below; you can read the full article by clicking the link at the bottom. Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season in whatever manner you choose to celebrate! How New CEOs Can Start Off On The Right Foot With Their Board As they are promoted to become the CEO, many senior leaders view this long-awaited step as the pinnacle of their careers. Finally, they are about to occupy the top spot in the organization—setting the priorities, determining the strategy, allocating resources, and developing the best talent for the team. For many, an unexpected challenge is looming, which new or aspiring CEOs may not be fully prepared to meet: their relationship with the board of directors. Here’s how I explain the dynamics, based on my own experiences as a CEO and as a board member and chair. First, it’s important for incoming CEOs to reflect on the fact that, in each position along their career path, they have had only one boss. In addition, each of these bosses previously held senior management roles in the company, making them very familiar with the responsibilities of the job. Now, as new or aspiring CEOs, they are about to have as many as 10 or even 15 bosses—otherwise known as the board of directors. Not only that, but CEOs will also report to board members who have never worked for the company, including many who have no experience working in the industry. For example, when I became CEO of Baxter International, a $12 billion health care company, one of the board members had a background in restaurant management. He knew a lot about food service, but nothing about health care. Such challenges can generate friction, even to the point of an adversarial relationship. As a McKinsey report noted in 2023, “Poorly managed, the relationship between the CEO and the board can devolve into a loss of trust and paralyzing ineffectiveness.” The prospect is even more daunting when considering research that shows as many as 25% of corporate boards are dysfunctional. #boardofdirectors #ceo #valuesbasedleadership https://lnkd.in/gek2meqq

Leaders Can 'Kill' People's Confidence How team members can respond when feeling beat down and what authority can do better to help their people feel strong and succeed Practical, experienced insights. Communication Intelligence, the Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gnMpYXF2 #workplace #business #organizations #sports #entertainment #media #coaching #management #workreporter #workculture #talentdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #performance #CEOadvisory #COOadvisory #managementadvisory #HRadvisory #trustandperformance #trustandgrowth

Did you miss Tim Rhode's compelling talk about progress and growth at the AFFINITY Wellness Alliance's Virtual Forum yesterday? Well, firstly, join the AWA so you don't miss out on future opportunities to connect with some of the world's most accomplished experts in health, fitness and wellness: https://lnkd.in/gVWV9eFr Secondly, get Tim's book, "Changing Lanes for Business:" https://lnkd.in/e895NFAV Here is what you'll learn: All progress requires change. Yet many, if not most people, believe that ‘change is hard’ or scary, and tend to resist, or avoid it altogether if possible. It’s no surprise that nearly 70% of change efforts in business struggle or fail. That’s because many business leaders just don’t have, or follow, a simple and reliable approach to build support and lead successful change. But now, that doesn’t have to be the case. In this transformative fable: Charlie, a talented yet struggling business leader, is feeling frustrated and disheartened by his team’s lackluster performance and frequent inability to reach their goals. Through a chance meeting with an old mentor, he discovers a simple 4 step approach for leading successful change and tries it out to improve his team’s engagement and productivity. Their rapid progress soon leads to a big new challenge and opportunity. Working together, they use the simple approach for Changing Lanes again, taking their team, and this time the entire business, to a new level of rapid and long-term success. In Changing Lanes for Business, Tim shares a relatable story with an easy-to-use approach - that business leaders and teams can apply today - to get unstuck, to overcome challenges, to make rapid progress, and achieve their goals. When you learn and apply the 4 simple steps for Changing Lanes in your own business, you’ll discover that leading successful change doesn’t have to be hard. Grant Gamble, Pele Ramdhani, Edward Curtain, Mel Tempest, Steve Jensen Impact Training, Andrew Nelson, Ben Mann, Jana Gamble, Richard Toutounji #changemanagement #fitnessbusiness #wellnessbusiness #healthbusiness

Trust is the foundation for all relationships.

Hospitality profits are falling and leader burnout is rising. I wish I could say it was the other way around. Both are connected. When business is tough the impact can be: • stress • lack of sleep • complete exhaustion and our well-being at work declines and so does our well-being in life When life feels tough the impact can be: • poor performance • lack of clarity and focus • work relationships challenged It's not easy to keep work out of life and life out of work It's possible to work on both That's what I do with my clients Whether you're a: • venue owner, group founder or CEO • career-focused professional • aspiring leader I share insights in my newsletter and in my events Check my website to sign up to get my insights I want you to thrive, because when you're thriving not stuck, struggling or just surviving You'll get others thriving too. And we want businesses and people thriving Let's get profits rising and burnout declining. It's good Karma _______________________________________________________________ ❤️ dC - sharing insights to save you pain/time               & inspire you to thrive PS - if you like my post: • Follow me • ring the 🔔on my profile • like or love the post ❤️ • share it with your network by reposting 🙏 Future of Hospitality for all hospitality & tourism leaders Grow My Hospitality Business for owners & founders #hospitalityleadership #worklifebalance #performanceimprovement #regenerativehospitality

Divisive topics can disrupt even the most well-managed #healthcare teams. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to guide discussions with empathy and clarity. Our newest article provides actionable insights on how to tackle these difficult subjects without undermining team morale or productivity. Whether you're a permanent or interim leader, these tips will help you steer your organization through tough conversations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSRb9iY7 #LeadershipSkills #ExecutiveLeadership #HealthcareLeadership

Starting the week strong is key, and maintaining a solid routine is the foundation for travel advisors to thrive. In our latest Travelweek article, we share valuable tips to help advisors refocus and recharge for success. With insights from several members of our Envoyage leadership team, this guide offers practical strategies to boost productivity and streamline your business. Read the full article to kickstart your week and set your business up for continued growth! And if you're an advisor looking to take your journey further with Envoyage, feel free to reach out – we’d love to connect. https://lnkd.in/gi_ydPzH #ForEveryJourney Envoyage Group #Travelweek #BusinessTips

Building a Visionary Network for Tomorrow’s Industry Together As I navigate new directions in my career journey, I’m reaching out to my network—and to leaders, innovators, and thinkers across our industry. Here’s a collective call to connect, collaborate, and shape a future that drives both personal and global impact. Whether you’re here to share insights, offer mentorship, or explore new paths, let’s grow together. Your Voice Matters What challenges are you facing in your industry? Let’s start a conversation, share solutions, and learn from one another. I invite you to comment below or connect directly. Inspiring Transition Stories Considering a transition myself, I’d love to hear your advice on navigating new roles and fields. Let’s make these changes rewarding and insightful. Collaborating on Meaningful Projects If you’re exploring innovative projects and need a passionate collaborator, let’s join forces. Together, we can tackle the pressing issues that shape our industry. Learning Together What books or podcasts are fueling your passion in hospitality? Share your recommendations, and let’s build a library of knowledge for continuous growth. Championing Sustainability and Community Let’s make sustainability and social responsibility core to our industry. How are you driving impact? What causes inspire you? I’d love to hear about your work or ideas. Mentorship & Giving Back Have you benefited from mentorship? I’ve seen the power of these relationships firsthand. If you need guidance or want to share your story, reach out—we’re here to uplift one another. Creating a Vision for the Future What do you believe will shape the next decade in our industry? Let’s not just envision it—let’s work together to bring it to life. Your thoughts and contributions are what make our industry a place for real change. It’s more than just career steps—it’s about building a purpose-driven journey with inspiring minds. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this community; here’s to creating value that goes beyond ourselves. Let’s connect, share, and drive change. https://lnkd.in/dNM_rKmj [#CMO #HotelMarketing #GlobalStrategy #SBIHM #HospitalityLeadership #InternationalBusiness #HotelIndustry #MarketingExcellence #hummingsanjeeva #GlobalOutreach #LuxuryHospitality #Recruitment #iLEADKolkata #HotelManagement #Leadership #hotel #NIPS #MayfairHotelsandResorts #hospitalitycareers #naukri #hospitalitylityIndustry #MultilingualExpert #Peerlesshotelsandresorts #HR #OberoiHotelsandResorts #TajHotels #SarovarHotels #MarketingLeadership #revenuegrowth #HospitalityStrategy #FutureOfIndustry #Collaboration #Mentorship #Sustainability ]

Following my recent post about attending the Best Practice Conference, I wanted to share my experience at the Leadership and Management workshop. It featured three remarkable guest speakers who bravely opened up about their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), sharing how these deeply affected them. As they recounted the challenges they faced, the emotional impact was still clear, but their stories also highlighted their incredible personal growth. Thanks to the right support, a nurturing environment, and people who listened and believed in them, they were able to thrive. Among them were a CEO, a Business Founder, and a Business Leader - each a testament to resilience. At Salford City Council, I’m currently participating in a Train the Trainer programme, focusing on building a Trauma-Responsive System to help Salford become a Trauma-Responsive City. In England, nearly half of the population has experienced at least one ACE, with around 9% having experienced four or more. This is a significant issue we all need to understand better. Now, imagine you’re an employer who has hired someone facing challenges - maybe they’ve been late, seem withdrawn, or haven’t met expectations. Is it time for them to fall at the first hurdle? Or even the second or third? Or, should employers approach this differently? Together, an employer and employee can: Listen Create Collaborate As an employer, you have the opportunity to create an environment where people can grow, overcome obstacles, and ultimately thrive. Who knows? That person might become the next CEO, Founder, or Leader, inspiring others who have faced similar hurdles. People who have experienced ACEs often bring invaluable strengths to the workplace, including: Resilience and Adaptability Empathy and Compassion Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking Mindfulness and Perspective Commitment to Growth and Self-Improvement A Stronger Sense of Purpose and Mission Crisis Management and De-escalation Skills An Appreciation for Mental Health and Well-being These qualities make them perfect candidates for leadership roles and future success in any business. Maybe even YOUR business. #Leadership #Management #Equality #InclusiveSalford #Opportunities #RemovingBarriers #CreatingPathways #TraumaResponsiveSalford

Hays Human Leadership series is back! 💪 Myself and Niki Vardy are pleased to announced the return of our highly popular Human Leadership series. We will be kicking off the series with a bang, we will be joined by Helen Melling and Kate Thompson who will be discussing Navigating Senior Leadership, Life and Wellbeing in 2025. The event will be held in Guildford on the 18th of September, from 9 (9.30am start) until 11ish. Navigating senior leadership, life and wellbeing in 2025 Leading companies and teams in today’s world is more challenging than ever. For those in leadership and HR/People related roles the focus on flexibility, mental health and wellbeing is at the fore, particularly post-Covid, leading to an increase in experience of burnout. How companies create a culture conducive to open conversations at all levels, and increasing employee engagement, is critical to prevent people exiting organisations leaving no knowledge or understanding of why. In this session we’ll be exploring the challenges associated with leading teams throughout the full employee lifecycle whilst navigating our own moral and corporate compasses. We’ll learn from our stories, how to manage ourselves and others to create positive employee experiences that directly impact the culture of the company and business performance. Topics to include ·      Career development and progression ·      Fertility, pregnancy, return to work, parenting ·      Neurodiversity, mental health and wellbeing ·      Long term sickness, ill health, caring responsibilities, grief ·      Impact of stress and burnout ·      Wellbeing from a nutrition perspective ·      Changes in midlife ·      Why your weight, cholesterol etc go up? ·      Simple tweaks to your diet to improve energy, sleep and overall health If you are a HR/People leader based in Surrey/North Hampshire and could be interested in joining us for our complimentary event, please message myself ([email protected]) or Niki ([email protected]) to save your seat. This event will be oversubscribed so please do book your space. We will be unable to accommodate walk ins without a booking. #HRevent #HR #humanleadership #workingforyourtomorrow #Hays Chris Evans Nicola Norrington Emma Pearcey Paul Thomas Sarah Hammond Barney Ely Chris Keogh Chris Harrington Abigail Worth Beth Ward-Reeds Simon Parker Matthew Whitfield