OE7: From Event Planner to Hospitality Leadership Expert: Transforming Teams and Careers with Vivian Campbell

Technically Speaking

In this episode of Technically Speaking, we are joined by Vivian Campbell, founder of Campbell Consulting, a hospitality leadership expert who has dedicated her career to empowering managers and teams in the hospitality industry. From her early days in special events to launching her own consulting business, Vivian shares her incredible journey of growth, challenges, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Her work focuses on providing customized leadership training to help managers excel in their roles, build high-performing teams, and navigate the complexities of managing diverse talent.

In this insightful conversation, Vivian discusses key lessons on:

Navigating Early Career Challenges: Vivian opens up about the pivotal moment in her career when she was promoted to management without proper training. She shares how her results-driven approach led to a team conflict and how she took it upon herself to learn new ways to manage people and cultivate a more harmonious, high-performing team.

The Power of Adaptability in Leadership: Vivian highlights the importance of understanding your team’s unique needs and adapting your leadership style to suit different personalities. She emphasizes that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach and shares how she learned to connect with her team and build trust through personalized leadership strategies.

Embracing Mentorship and Accountability: Reflecting on her own experiences with mentorship, Vivian discusses the impact of having a mentor and how it shaped her career. She advocates for all professionals to seek out mentors who can offer guidance, hold them accountable, and provide valuable feedback to help them grow.

Career Growth and the Importance of Networking: For those feeling stuck in their careers, Vivian recommends the power of building a strong network. She shares practical tips on how to network effectively, both within your industry and outside of it, to uncover new opportunities and gain fresh perspectives.

Learning from Failures and Mistakes: Vivian discusses how she turned a major mistake in her early hospitality career into a valuable learning moment. She shares a story of how, as an event planner, she inadvertently disrupted the hotel guests’ experience by monopolizing key amenities for a high-profile event, and how this taught her the importance of balancing multiple stakeholder needs.

The Role of Continued Education in Professional Development: Vivian is a firm believer in the value of lifelong learning. She encourages professionals to continuously seek new knowledge and skills through workshops, online courses, and networking events, stressing that the learning process doesn’t end after formal education.

Managing Career Transitions: Drawing on her own career shifts, Vivian offers advice on how to successfully pivot within your career. Whether moving from one department to another or transitioning into a leadership role, she provides strategies to help professionals navigate career changes with confidence and clarity.

Harnessing the Power of AI and Technology in Hospitality: As technology continues to reshape industries, Vivian emphasizes the importance of embracing AI and tech tools to enhance efficiency and innovation in hospitality. She explains how staying ahead of tech trends can help hospitality professionals remain competitive and relevant in an ever-evolving landscape.

Maintaining Motivation and Focus: Vivian shares her personal productivity strategies, including the power of daily affirmations, meditation, and goal-setting. By setting clear intentions every day, she remains focused and motivated, even when distractions or setbacks arise.

Advice for Young Professionals in Hospitality: For anyone just starting out in the hospitality industry, Vivian offers invaluable advice on how to build a successful career. She encourages newcomers to start with an open mind, explore different departments, and take the time to network, learn, and grow within the industry.

Whether you're an aspiring leader in hospitality or someone looking to level up your career, Vivian’s journey offers a wealth of practical tips and empowering advice to help you navigate your career path with confidence and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of adapting your leadership style to suit different team members.
• How to use mistakes and failures as stepping stones for success.
• The power of mentorship, networking, and continued education in career growth.
• Embracing technology and AI as tools for innovation and efficiency in hospitality.
• Practical advice for young professionals starting out in hospitality.

Listen Now:

Spotify | iTunes

Resources

• For more insights and to connect with Vivian, visit:
• LinkedIn: Vivian Campbell
• Website: Campbell Consulting