Changing the Narrative with Jeff Keeley of InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza
On this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I had the opportunity to speak with Jeff Keeley, General Manager at InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza, about some of the ways he’s trying to change the popular perception of the hospitality industry.
In days past, there was a stigma of immobility with hospitality jobs, especially hotel positions. Being a dishwasher or a hotel receptionist was thought of as a final destination and there was no ladder to climb if you found yourself in these entry-level roles.
Jeff, who himself started as a front desk clerk, is trying to dispel that notion. Especially now in a post-Covid world, the hospitality sector is hurting for mid-level staff, and entry-level hotel jobs may actually be some of the most upwardly mobile positions available right now. That mobility doesn’t have to come with an 80-hour per week work rate, either. That’s another myth Jeff wants to put to rest.
Hospitality can offer a sensible work-life balance and to work in a hotel or restaurant does not mean selling your soul to your job. From Jeff’s perspective, everyone has a life outside work and a job should never take its place. It’s an outstanding management philosophy and it’s helping Jeff to change the narrative around hospitality work.
If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave a 5-star review. For more information and links to all of the resources mentioned in today’s episode, visit HospitalityLeaderspodcast.com.
