5 Star Conversations: 2025 Best Of | What Today’s Leaders Tell the Next Generation

This compilation brings together one of the most consistent and heartfelt themes from 5 Star Conversations in 2025: advice for those entering, or considering, a career in hospitality. Across roles, regions and career stages, the message is clear — hospitality is not a short-term play, but a deeply rewarding industry for those willing to learn, be patient and commit to the journey. The strongest advice is to start at the foundations, understand how hotels truly operate from front of house to heart of house, and resist the pressure to rush progression before mastering the basics.

A second, equally strong thread is openness — to opportunity, challenge and people. Many leaders spoke about saying “yes” before feeling fully ready, moving sideways rather than upwards, working in different countries, cultures and disciplines, and deliberately choosing learning over title or money. This curiosity, combined with humility, builds resilience and confidence over time. The industry rewards those who put their hand up, ask questions, embrace uncertainty and stay positive, even when self-doubt inevitably appears. Hospitality, more than most industries, values initiative, adaptability and a genuine interest in people.

Finally, the compilation reinforces that long-term success in hospitality is built through relationships. Mentorship, strong networks and community connections repeatedly surfaced as career-defining factors. Leaders emphasised the importance of finding trusted mentors outside one’s immediate organisation, building genuine networks based on mutual support, and remembering that hospitality is ultimately a people business — both for guests and colleagues. For those who enjoy human connection, continuous learning and real-world problem solving, the collective advice is simple but powerful: hospitality is a career that endures, evolves and gives back far more than it takes.

#hospitalityindustry #guestexperience #futureofhospitality #innovationinhospitality #careeradvice #hospitalityleaders

www.Technology4Hotels.com.au
Email: Brendon@Technology4hotels.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendongranger
Phone +61 2 8317 4000
Phone 1300 503 657 (Australia only)