Women’s day might be over, but we continue to acknowledge and celebrate the women leading the way in our region.
Stephanie believes that women have the innate qualities to show compassion and empathy, a strength that can and should be used more in this business. She also shares her thoughts on how the industry has evolved and gives aspiring women advice on making it in the hospitality industry.
How has the industry evolved for women?
Today the working conditions are more flexible. As a result, women are making their voices heard much more than before, partially attributed to the awareness campaigns and initiatives over the years in this region.
There’s still room for improvement, and there are plenty of opportunities for it, especially in this region with its ongoing focus on driving expansions and growth in all areas.
At Radisson Hotel Group we have prioritised creating the ideal environment and culture in our hotels for female employees, with flexible working hours and individually tailored development plans that are goal orientated and long term. We invest in people now, so we reap the benefits in time.
What are the biggest strengths of being a woman in this business?
Women have the innate qualities to show compassion and empathy. Other character strengths of a woman are our creativity and the capability to mentor and coach.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to join the industry?
You’ve got to love what you do to succeed and never underestimate yourself. Speak up and say yes to new opportunities and challenges when they arise. And to really make a difference, you have to first believe that you have the creative freedom and ownership to do so.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years in this industry, and what do you think will be your main barriers to getting there?
We need to continue to break the glass ceiling and continue to drive the change of mindset in the industry. I hope that we in ten years are way past talking about gender differences in this industry and any industry. We need to continue to get support from businesses, from men and mostly from each other as women.
