LAGNIAPPE
Exterior of the Eden Roc Miami Beach skills needed for a promotion . For some , it ’ s about providing the technical training needed within their area to get to the next level . For others , it ’ s more about working toward expanding their self-confidence as leaders , or developing the ability to see the big picture . Developing my team members is always top of mind in all that I do .
H : How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your work ?
ED : It has made me more hands on than ever , and more creative , flexible and understanding . One big takeaway from [ this time ] is holding my team to higher standards of efficiency , flexibility and thinking outside the box . Before the pandemic , we always did things a certain way because that ’ s how it was done in our industry . Those ways of doing things have changed forever .
H : What does a typical day look like for you ?
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC , WE ALWAYS DID THINGS A CERTAIN WAY BECAUSE THAT ’ S HOW IT WAS DONE IN OUR INDUSTRY . THOSE WAYS OF DOING THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOREVER .
ED : As I ’ m new in my role , I ’ m still learning what a typical day looks like . What I do every day is walk the hotel — I choose a different area of focus each day . One day I will focus on the outlets , another day our pools and beach , and the next day our guestrooms . It ’ s very important for me to know how our house looks , and for the team to know that I walk and inspect the hotel on a daily basis , including the front and back of house . H : Who inspires you ? ED : Jeff Toscano , executive vice president of Pivot Hotels & Resorts , has been an inspiration to me . I met him eight years ago and he has been a mentor . He ’ s somebody I look up to for his immense leadership skills , creativity and his keen ability to grow and develop leaders .
H : Where do you find inspiration outside the industry ?
ED : My family . They provide amazing support and believe in me . My children inspire me to achieve great things and to be a role model . Children see the best in people . I also grew up listening to stories from my grandparents ’ life experiences in different positions in the hotel business in my native Argentina , which helped shape me professionally .
40 hotelsmag . com January / February 2021