Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

The Life-Changing Advice Zack Gharib Got From Bill Marriott

Red Roof's Zack Gharib
Corporate Competitor Podcast
In this edition of our Corporate Competitor Podcast, Red Roof president Gharib shares leadership insights earned over two decades in the hospitality industry.

Before he became president of Red Roof, Zack Gharib cut his teeth in the hospitality industry, working tirelessly to open a Marriott in Indianapolis. The stakes were high, and the pressure intensified when Gharib learned that Bill Marriott, the legendary CEO of the company that bore his name, would visit to inspect the progress.

What happened next transformed Gharib’s approach to leadership forever. Marriott didn’t just walk in and inspect the work; he connected with the entire team. He shook hands, thanked every single team member, and made them feel valued. Then, he turned to Gharib and shared a lesson that would echo throughout his career.

“You have one job,” Marriott told him. “Take care of your team. And when you do that, they’ll take care of everything else.”

Appearing on a recent episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, Gharib reflected on that pivotal moment and how it shaped his leadership philosophy.

“As a young manager, listening to that from him, that stuck with me my entire life,” Gharib said. “That’s what I always do. Nobody will ever change my mind on this. I always want to make sure that my team is taken care of, and it has served me well.”

Today, as part of Red Roof’s onboarding process, Gharib meets every new hire personally.

“I get to meet all our new team members and listen to their stories,” Gharib shared on the podcast. “Where are they from? What made them choose Red Roof? What’s important to them? What culture do they want to be part of? And, of course, I get to share our culture and the vision we’re working toward.”

In this episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, Gharib also reveals more about his journey and the lessons that guide him, including:

• Learning about teamwork and competition by playing basketball as he grew up in Lebanon and by watching Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

• Why he prioritizes connecting with his team every morning to foster unity and trust.

• Insights from two decades in the hospitality industry, including leading 700 Red Roof properties around the globe.

Above all, Gharib emphasizes the importance of being approachable and available to his team. One way he does this? Sharing his cell phone number with new employees.

“It gives them a chance to really get to know me from the first week,” Gharib said. “If they have a question or a comment, my door is always open. They can email me. They know my cell phone. I’m all in, whatever you need. We are one team.”


MORE LIKE THIS

upcoming events

Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.