Frédérique Selbeck: A Journey to Leadership in the Hotel Industry
Frédérique Selbeck, the dynamic Rooms Division Manager at art'otel Amsterdam, was recently honoured with the Future Hotel Leader Award 2024, a recognition of her remarkable contribution and vision within the hotel industry. This award symbolizes not just her individual success, but also the collective effort of her team. Let’s delve deeper into Frédérique's story, her inspirations, and her future plans.
The moment of appreciation
Winning the Future Hotel Leader Award was a moment of unparalleled pride and joy for Frédérique. "It felt like a dream come true when my name was announced. Surrounded by my colleagues, I felt a wave of emotions; pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of appreciation for our joint efforts. This moment will always be cherished as a confirmation of our hard work and dedication," she shares.
Inspired by challenges
In my early career, I experienced the challenging transition from minimal to full hotel occupancy following the Corona pandemic. This period was difficult due to a shortage of staff, which was caused by low salaries and post-pandemic issues. As a result, we had to search hard and train many new people.
These experiences made me even more convinced of the importance of taking good care of yourself at work. I learned that taking care of both the mental and physical health of employees not only helps to deliver more and better work, but is also important for a pleasant work atmosphere and satisfied employees and customers. Therefore, I made an extra effort to ensure our employees feel good at work, aiming to create a healthy and supportive place for everyone.
A vision for innovation
I believe we should always continue to innovate and collaborate, because if we don't move forward, we fall behind. I think it's important to keep up with new developments, especially in sustainability and technology. I want everyone, young and old, to feel important and contribute to our common goals. Furthermore, I try to create a workplace where both younger and older employees feel at home. By valuing everyone in my team, I try to bring people of different ages closer together. In this way, I aim to build an open and modern corporate culture.
Innovation in onboarding
One of my successful projects at art'otel was improving how new employees start. It's very important to me that they get a good impression right away and feel connected to our brand. Instead of putting them straight to work, I take them on a tour of Amsterdam. We visit famous places like the Dam and the Negen Straatjes. This way, new colleagues quickly learn a lot about the city and our hotel, which they can then share with our guests. This makes the experience for our guests even better.
Overcoming challenges
Sometimes I encounter resistance when introducing new ideas, because not everyone is equally open to change. It's therefore very important to clearly explain the benefits and involve everyone in the process. For example, I recently introduced a new system that initially caused problems and was not immediately welcomed with enthusiasm. By focusing on the positive aspects, such as better safety and efficiency, and by remaining determined and positive, we have overcome these obstacles together. It is essential to believe in the improvements and convey this belief to the team. This requires perseverance and a clear explanation of how the whole team benefits.
Balancing innovation with feasibility
In my work at art'otel, I always try to come up with new and big ideas, but I make sure they can actually be implemented. I first check if an idea fits within our budget, whether it aligns with our brand, and if we can do it our way. Then I make a plan for the first steps and discuss with the general manager whether we can really execute the idea. I like to think creatively, but also pay close attention to what we already know and what is possible in the hotel industry, so that we can actually realize our plans.
The importance of well-being
I truly believe that my focus on well-being and a balance between work and private life is good for everyone at art'otel Amsterdam. We have done things to improve well-being, such as providing meals at work and laying ergonomic mats at the reception to physically support the staff. By really listening to what our employees need, we find out what is important to them. I want to be more than just the boss; I want to be someone the team can rely on, so that we all find a good balance between our work and private lives.
Recognition and support
It means a lot to me when my colleagues and superiors, like Niels Erenstein from art'otel, appreciate me. The support from Niels and cooperation with my colleagues make our work fun and motivating. The fact that I was nominated for an important award and that everyone is interested in what I do shows that our hard work is seen and appreciated. This appreciation not only motivates me further, but also creates an atmosphere where we recognize each other and work well together.
Ambitions and future plans
After working for more than five years and spending additional time through internships, I have now become Rooms Division Manager. This is more than I ever imagined when I was still studying. This job has made me even more motivated and determined to advance in the hotel industry. The support from PPHE Hotel Group and the opportunity to learn from experienced people like Niels have really helped me. My big goal is to eventually become the hotel manager and help others grow in their work.
Passion and perseverance in the hospitality industry
My best tip for those just starting in the hotel industry is to stay enthusiastic and engaged. Many of my classmates from the hotel school in Maastricht have gone on to do something else, but I want to emphasize how special this industry is. You come into contact with all kinds of cultures, and you can really make a difference for people. Of course, working at night or on holidays can be tough, but it's all worth it. Seize every opportunity, learn from everything you experience, and always look for ways to improve and discover new things.
Staying motivated despite challenges
I started at the reception, and now I take care of the finances and planning of the hotel. This shows how many different jobs you can have in hotels. I always stay positive and see every difficult situation as a chance to learn something new. The advice from my mother, that I should learn from my mistakes, helps me a lot in my work.
Inspiration and mentorship
I haven't had just one mentor, but I have learned a lot from different people, like Niels Erenstein at art'otel and other important people in the hotel industry around the world. All these experiences have taught me a lot about leadership. The story of Bill Marriott, who expanded a small family hotel into a huge hotel chain, really inspires me. It shows what you can achieve if you have clear goals, are motivated, and seize the opportunities you get.
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