Welcome to an era where the buzz of hustle culture hums incessantly, yet burnout lurks menacingly in its shadows. Enter Mind The Gap, an enlightening dialogue uniting two industry titans—Stephen Gould, General Manager of InterContinental Bangkok and Holiday Inn Bangkok, and Manika Sachdev, Wedding Planner extraordinaire of Monique Events by Monica. Their conversation is a refreshing cocktail of honesty and insight, bubbling over with wisdom and humor.
At the heart of their exchange beats a unified principle: true leadership finds its soul in understanding people, not merely the intricacies of corporate systems. Stephen unveils his secret weapon in the hospitality world—the “DIA” framework, which stands for Data, Insight, Action. This approach isn’t about adding layers of complexity but about distilling information to predict outcomes, understanding their genesis, and acting with precision. Especially during bustling times, akin to Thailand’s New Year, Stephen underscores the mantra, “Higher rates bring higher expectations.” His emphasis is on matching performance with the soaring customer anticipations.
On the other side of the conversation, Manika brings a nurturing touch from the events sector. Famous for crafting weddings that mirror each client’s unique persona, she argues that without balance, creativity withers. “If I don’t make space for myself, I can’t make magic for others,” she quips, reflecting on her journey from unfulfilling corporate roles to the vibrant world of event planning. Her story champions the fearless chase of one’s passions, free from doubt.
Both Stephen and Manika reminisce about their professional roots and the lessons they sprouted. Stephen’s career began with humble origins as a porter. He believes humility forms the bedrock of effective leadership and reminisces about invaluable lessons from each role he held. “The people on the ground often endure more pressure than I do,” he acknowledges, promoting inclusive leadership that amplifies every voice.
As the chat unfolds, discussions on work-life balance and evolving generational mindsets take center stage. Manika shares wisdom handed down by her self-sacrificing mother, highlighting the importance of self-care, without guilt. “If you lose yourself while constantly giving to others, who’s going to lift you when you fall?” she challenges. In today’s fast-paced carousel, this advice resonates with clarity. She encourages budding professionals to embrace self-talk, be gentle with themselves on tough days, and establish robust boundaries between work and life.
Stephen concurs that emotional openness and wellness are gradually weaving into corporate culture. But, he concedes, for many seasoned leaders who equate self-prioritization with selfishness, this shift is a bit jolting. The moral of the story? Prioritizing yourself isn’t an act of selfishness; it’s an act of survival. As Stephen succinctly puts it, “You can’t help others if you’re running on empty.”
In essence, this conversation transcends its dialogue form, evolving into a modern-day blueprint for leadership and mindful existence. Whether you’re erecting an enterprise, steering a team, or traversing life’s transformative phases, this discussion is a poignant reminder that purpose, empathy, and authenticity are not just buzzwords but the new essential tools of the trade.
This chat is a bunch of jargon just trying to make hustle culture sound better. Mindful leadership is just an excuse for overworking!
I don’t think that’s true. They’re promoting balance and empathy, which is desperately needed in today’s workplace.
Exactly! Hustle culture is toxic and outdated. Leadership requires prioritizing well-being.
But how many companies realistically adopt these ideas? It all feels like wishful thinking to me.
Their argument is pretty clear. It’s about sustainability in work practices, not just profitability.
I love the idea of leaders valuing the ‘people on the ground.’ More leaders need to think this way!
Totally agree! Effective leadership starts with empathy and understanding.
Sure, but how do you balance leadership and maintaining authority? There’s a fine line.
Mindful existence is the new trend, but can it really fit into corporate culture? It sounds too idealistic.
Corporate culture is already changing. It’s slow, but mindfulness isn’t impossible!
I hope you’re right, but change often seems superficial rather than substantial.
Totally inspired by Manika! Leaving corporate for passion is brave. More should do it!
Inspiring, yes, but not everyone can afford to take that leap without a safety net.
Financial stability can’t be undervalued. Passion should come with a plan.
Work-life balance is essential. Without it, burnout is inevitable. Manika’s mom seems wise.
That’s the harsh truth. Self-care is underrated but crucial for longevity, in any career.
Stephen’s story of starting small and valuing humility shows true leadership. More should tell their stories.
This all sounds great, but until top-level execs actually walk the talk, it’s just lip service.
Some companies have started implementing these ideals. It’s definitely not widespread yet, though.
Implementing these changes requires a cultural shift and buy-in from everyone, not just proposals.
Prioritizing oneself as a leader isn’t selfish; it’s survival. Stephen nailed it!
I can’t help but feel that mindfulness as described here is just a trend. What’s the long-term impact?
Maybe it’s just a trend now, but trends can lead to lasting changes if adopted properly.
Why aren’t more companies implementing this? Because they prioritize profit over people, plain and simple.
It’s nice that this article addresses leadership, but who’s holding these leaders accountable?
It’s about corporate governance and collective responsibility. There’s hope if everyone steps up.
Manika’s approach to self-care and boundaries should be taught in schools. Essential life skills!
It’s refreshing to see leaders like Stephen who view performance beyond spreadsheets.
I’m just skeptical any of this is feasible in a high-pressure corporate setting. More utopian than practical.