Last week, I said NO to a Regional VP of Operations at one of the world’s leading luxury hotel companies.
What he told me should worry every hotel owner.
He wanted a proactive recruiter who makes things happen, yet within minutes something felt terribly off.
His tone, his dismissive attitude, and his air of superiority suggested I should feel privileged that he was speaking with me at all.
Then I asked about his team, and his answer left me speechless.
His message was essentially this:
“Frankly, I don’t care who fills the position. I need someone in that chair so the owners gets off my back. If they burn out, I replace them. My bonus depends on the numbers, not on who is still smiling in the lobby.”
He spoke about people like light bulbs. One burns out, you screw in another.
We teach every housekeeper, waiter, and receptionist to make guests feel seen. How can you demand that emotional intelligence from your teams while showing so little of it yourself?
So I told him:
“I don’t believe we’re the right recruitment partner for you.”
He was sure I needed him, and that is exactly the mindset our industry is outgrowing.
The truth is that everyone at the table holds power.
The candidate you interview, the recruiter you call, and the client you hope to win may not need you at all.
People are increasingly choosing what feels right over what pays more.
In an industry that sells well-being every single day, values and actions have to match, starting at the very top.
When I say YES to a partner, I put my whole heart into their company.
It has to be soil where something can grow.
I’d rather make one placement less than compromise my values.
Saying NO was the test.
This very week, an opportunity came my way that I could never have dreamed of.
One question has stayed with me ever since:
The person across the table may not need you.
Are you worth choosing anyway?