Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.

by Taylor Scott

Across all industries and levels of organizations, one key leadership trait inspires and motivates more than any hospitality.

We have all encountered inspirational leaders who've helped us, taught us, encouraged us, pushed us to get outside our comfort zones, or motivated us to become the best version of ourselves. What is it about their leadership styles that inspires us to do more for our team and our personal and professional growth? 

Turns out, we admire these leaders for the same reasons we love our favorite hotels, resorts, restaurants, or How they make us feel is essential. Members of today's workforce—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking for inspiring environments and work that truly fulfills them. Before anyone is compelled to do anything they first must feel . Speaker, consultant, and hospitality industry veteran Taylor Scott knows that the most effective leaders approach their roles with heart, emotionally connecting with their team members before attempting to manage them. Scott draws from his two decades in leadership roles at respected hotels, resorts, and restaurants. He distills the principles of gracious hospitality, translating them into actionable leadership lessons which apply in any industry, such  

   • How making people feel welcome fosters loyalty and keeps workers engaged with an organization's purpose
   • How serving people with empathy and compassion sparks workers' highest productivity
   • How making people feel comfortable encourages exploration, curiosity, and discovery while inviting everyone to lean into their creativity 
   • How making people feel significant drives them to deliver their best work

He also shares specific, practical steps you can take to put these principles into action. Scott shows how to connect, serve, engage, coach, and inspire your peers, teams, and even your own leaders. Lead with Hospitality is a call to action to connect with people on a human level which ultimately inspires teams, organizations, and companies to go to the next level.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Business, Personal Development

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book and the "lessons" can be applied to so many situations. What I enjoyed most is the unique and simple yet powerful perspectives that the author presents throughout the book. I recommend this book to all ages in any industry.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership is a skill that is sorely lacking in business today. The unprecedented number of unfilled job vacancies in the job market tells us that employees are fed up with the dehumanizing conditions typical of most workplaces. Companies are left with two choices - either take the excellent advice laid out in this and genuinely apply it among their workforce or continue to hemorrhage disposable labor force until you are no longer able to hold a viable position within your marketplace. Top-level management has been hearing a similar message for quite some time now but continues to impose pep rally "spirit" upon a weary crew of employees who know that the hype is a load of crap rather than genuine concern for their wellbeing. Enough already!

This book provides good strategies and realistic optimism for the few who wish to lead rather than to crack the whip. The author started his career from the ground up, so he knows what it feels like to be the low man on the totem pole. Most importantly, he understands the concepts of service and inspiration. This is the kind of person we all would like to work for, and one for whom we should each aspire to become.

[Efrain Ayala-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor Scott has found a way to both simplify and demystify leadership in a way that makes it feel extremely human. As a Leadership and Employee learning specialist I often engage in the conversation about whether or not Leadership is learnable or innate. In his unique and casual way, Taylor reminds us that it is both: it is learnable because it can be practiced and improved, but it is innate because the most important part is to be human. Lead with Hospitality is an easy read, but a strong reminder that the hardest parts about being a leader are the parts that make us human. Connect, listen, lead. Thank you, Taylor.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaning into the subject matter of service, my reading interest brought me to 'Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.' by Taylor Scott. While my awareness of this book was raised by a highly skilled trainer in the hotel industry, the principals and lessons speak to relationships and trust building with applications outside that specific industry.

The four principles Scott presents focus on the sequential application of the concepts of connect, serve, engage and inspire. Delivered conversationally, Scott effects a tone both of affirmative actions for building engagement and corresponding examples of avoidable actions that deter the same. The book engages with storytelling, using the growth experiences of team members and leaders alike; the effect resonates positively with me.

At the book’s conclusion, I found the calling out of specific actions connected to each of the four principles persuasive. I cannot wait to get started in applying what parts of this process that I can into the culture of my current workplace. For these reasons, I give 'Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.' by Taylor Scott 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

[Denise Griffitts]

Give Hospitality by Taylor Scott – A Must-Read Business Fable for Leaders Seeking Workplace Transformation

Taylor Scott’s Give Hospitality is a refreshing business fable that delivers powerful lessons on leadership, generosity, and workplace culture. Through the journey of Summer Grace at Kauwela Resorts, Scott demonstrates how core values like compassion, encouragement, and kindness can transform toxic environments into thriving, inclusive spaces. The storytelling is engaging, and the actionable principles are easy to implement, making this book essential for any leader or HR professional aiming to create a happier, more productive team. Highly recommended for anyone who believes people should feel valued and empowered at work.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads giveaway contest.

Recommend this book for employees in all industries. It is written for hospitality field yet there is good information applicable for managers, supervisors and staff positions in any company. From top executive to summer intern and every position in between, there is an insight to improve work and team relationships. At the end of each chapter is a brief summary and workbook area to reflect and record thoughts.

[Lora Blag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a leadership book that provides actions and ideas that can be immediately put into practice. I especially appreciated each chapter’s ending - a recap providing practical ideas to try and implement. I work in manufacturing and enjoyed seeing leadership examples from a different industry and could apply the hospitality concepts into my leadership.

I heartily recommend “Lead with Hospitality” to anyone interested in improving their interactions with others.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor Scott tells us that the role of the leader is to make people feel welcome, feel comfortable, and feel important. He gives specific examples of how doing these things will inspire others and make for a happier and more productive workplace. Very important ideas presented in a thoughtful and conversational style. I will refer back to this book often.

Thanks for the review copy from the publisher and Goodreads.

[Santo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revisited this book as I begin the new year with a growing team in my business. The lessons are timeless. A must have in your business and leadership library. Make them feel welcome, comfortable, and important.

[Robben García · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno de los libros más significativos en mi haber de hotelero. Los conceptos manejados son muy claros y con el entendimiento adecuado para cada un de los momentos que se tienen que realizar en el ejercicio del liderazgo.

[Sandra Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is full of useful, inspiring tools and full of friendly advice, that can be applied in any situation. I will apply the guided exercises to develop my own team building skills.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Joel Ratcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, just what I needed. This book provides a great new perspective on leadership in any field. It's definitely not just for the hospitality industry.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of useful, inspiring tools to guide leaders through successful, meaningful building blocks. I only skimmed the surface and have added it to my wishlist to re-read the hard copy version and use the guided exercises to develop my own team-building skills. It is full of data and science but also conversational anecdotes and friendly advice, feeling hospitable and welcoming as it leads you through each section.


I received a complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley. Opinions are entirely my own.