One day he was reading The Journey principle, “I Must Change First.” Dennis Morris took it literally and eleven positions later he holds the title of Regional Revenue Manager and The Meyer Jabara Hotels Revenue Manager of the Year! He certainly applies his learning.
Hotels need leaders, not suits with titles. Dennis Morris is a leader who is often wearing more than one title, simultaneously serving as interim General Manager while he coaches six hotels to maximize their revenue potentials. This man’s career path is a perfect reflection of The Journey. He started at the Christiana Hilton in housekeeping as a houseman. “One day I heard someone of authority tell me I could make decisions and take actions and I took them seriously.”
It doesn’t really state anywhere in a Meyer Jabara job description, “Learn as you go” but that unwritten cultural rule is what allows individuals like Dennis Morris to soar. What truly causes this particular individual to soar to such great heights is his ability and passion to capture that learning and teach others how to soar with him. He loves to lift others up and support them while they learn. Maybe he developed this skill by watching his twelve-year old, all-star champion cheerleading daughter.
Most of his free time is spent with his wife traveling to competitions, clinics and the neighborhood gym. Within the competitive worlds of cheerleading and hospitality, one learns that between second and first place is an enormous chasm. Dennis explains, “A lot of people can actually be happy being #2. First place is so much better!” Dennis enjoys winning. But he knows, in order to win, he has to change his mindset first and make first place his true goal.
A leader must have faith that his or her team can be, and will be, number one. Dennis Morris demonstrates that faith in every conversation and every action. |
