After completing my teaching contract at the cooking school, my heart was set on finding a kitchen where I could simply cook, every single day. Unbeknownst to me, a media cooking class I led one weekend would completely derail my plans, when I met the visionary President of a hotel brand renowned for sustainability and wellness. With an invitation to visit their headquarters in Bangkok and meet the team, my curiosity was piqued.
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that an iconic role would be created for me after meeting the Leadership team, sealing the deal with the enigmatic CEO through a hand drawn sketch with a Sharpie marker - on the back of a torn paper bag. True story!
The Job.
Spearhead an initiative to evolve the brand’s food ethos, build a culture around food and wellness, collaborate with chefs to elevate standards and guidelines and guide the properties in implementation. From educating purchasing teams on food quality, increasing local sourcing in the supply chain, encouraging more in-house food production, adopting more mindful menu engineering practices, strategic garden usage to grow food, improving waste reduction, modernizing mini bars to be more ethical and sustainable, eliminating single-use plastics in the kitchens and bars…
…while also creating wellness programs, elevating guest experiences, developing and facilitating training around sustainable food and wellness for employees, improving the food in staff canteens’ in different pockets of the world and inspiring staff to make healthier choices.
Whew! Talk about a long laundry list!
Imposter Syndrome? Absolutely.
What if I was the wrong person for the job? What if I didn't have enough kitchen experience? Who was I to think I could take on this role?
Despite the mountain of doubts and a serious fear of failure, I accepted the challenge and learned to rise to the occasion.
Reaching out to chefs, purchasing and F&B teams in different parts of the world, I learned to check my ego at the door and asked questions. A LOT of questions. As a result, I got really good at ‘throwing spaghetti’ on the wall (a term I learned from a former boss, to solve problems).
I learned that systems and standards must go hand-in-hand with building culture into a brand's DNA. You can’t tell people what to do and simply expect them to follow.
Respect is earned.
The real work is investing in people. Showing interest in other peoples’ situations, understanding their challenges, meeting them where they’re at. Genuinely showing you care about them. This is what differentiates a great leader that motivates people to be open, to follow and adopt change, vs. a dictator that people are afraid of and ultimately don’t buy-in.
People need to believe in what you’re building.
If they don't understand the ‘why?’ and ‘why should I care?’ - culture will never be authentic.
In today’s world, people demand authenticity.
Leaders must take risks and believe in a vision, especially when others can’t see it yet. It often requires a deep level of patience and fortitude.
Because that’s how great change happens.
Most importantly, I learned that failure is a necessity for growth.
I gained valuable insight and experience in deconstructing failures, including my own to rebuild more effective solutions. There is power in humility, in being open to learn how to do better.
Dedicating a full-time person to build a culture of wellness and sustainability this deep was unprecedented in the hospitality industry (let alone any industry). I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been entrusted with a role that impacted thousands of employees and guests around the world, to be one of the pioneers breaking boundaries and shaking up the status quo to drive industry change.
My experience taught me that those big, scary shoes we're presented with throughout life are meant for us to grow into.
They say the most challenging roles are often the most rewarding.
Looking back, I’m proud of the legacy I helped build.
I’ve been blessed to work with talented people to create much needed changes.
As I venture into this next phase of my life as an Entrepreneur in my 40s, I honestly can’t say I know where the road will lead me. (Do any of us, really?)
What I am certain about is the path I seek to create in this next era of my life is one driven by authenticity and purpose.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to learn over the last 10+ years, it’s this:
Trust in the process.
Continue to foster unwavering faith in yourself.
Do good work with people that inspire you (the kind that makes you jump out of bed in the morning).
Be kind, be curious, and be of service.
The rest will follow.
Believe in yourself, because I believe in you!
Celia 🤍
#ChangeisPossible
#FromRoottoSky
