LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

As a general manager, you interact with nearly every part of the business — from sales and marketing to housekeeping and guest relations. Prior to landing her current role, Powers was already preparing for this kind of position by making an effort to familiarize herself with other aspects of hotel operations. “ I picked people I wanted to meet with, called them, and asked them if I could sit in their office and learn about their job,” she explains. In the same vein, she embraced the idea of trying new things, continuously pushing herself into different roles and working hard to be successful at them.

Owen has a similar philosophy, saying that it’s critical to “be curious, be involved, and not afraid to ask questions.” After all, she says, “The more involved you are, the more you'll learn, and the more you know.”

Invest in your relationships

While it’s important to learn what you can, Owen also adds that it’s okay to not know it all. “Sometimes, we feel like we have to know everything — and really, it’s about knowing where to go to get the right information,” she says. That’s where you can lean on your team and the relationships you’ve created. Luckily, that’s not hard in an industry as interconnected as hospitality.

“ The people who work in hospitality are innately genuine and open to supporting each other,” says Powers. “There are a lot of people who put their hand out and pull you up.” Just be sure you return the favor. For Buckland, that means always approaching your job with a team mindset — no matter where you are in your career. “What can I take off your plate? What can I help you out with?” are two questions she recommends asking your coworkers on a regular basis.

Build up those around you

When speaking with Buckland, it’s clear she leads by example. Her mantra, “Show up, and follow through,” is something that’s been effective throughout her career. But, she stresses, success is always about the team; wins don’t come from the efforts of one person.

At Snow King, she tries to build a culture of hard work as well as celebration. “Praise the people who are around you,” she says. “It’s not just numbers…it’s also having fun in the environment where you work.” Whether that means recognizing achievements or having a shared joke among the team (ask her about the hundreds of tiny plastic babies that were hidden in her office when you visit the resort), her leadership style is one that is inherently inspiring and celebratory.

If you head down to Arizona, you’ll find Powers and her team share a similar culture-first workplace. “ Over the five years that I've been the general manager here, we have worked really hard to build a culture of pride — and I'm seeing the benefits and the fruit of that now,” she says. “Our associates work with such great pride, and they feel what I feel, which is pride in this resort, pride in the history…and pride in each other.”

Don’t underestimate yourself

Both Owen and Buckland shared how they experienced moments of uncertainty before applying for their roles as general managers — but, with the encouragement of those around them, they were able to find the confidence and courage to successfully take on the challenge. According to Owen, if you’re able to meet good mentors and surround yourself with people who believe in you, they’ll be the ones to give you an extra dose of confidence “to keep pushing,” all the way to your dream role.

Powers also highlights the importance of “ embracing your unique perspective” and trusting yourself. “Be confident in your abilities, and don’t let that inner dialogue tell you you're not quite ready for something, or you're not quite able to do it, or somebody is smarter than you, and you can't get there,” she says.

Capitalize on your strengths

General manager is a job that requires common sense, empathy, and holistic problem-solving — as we heard from all three women — but it’s also important to leverage your personal strengths. Buckland, for example, credits her keen eye for efficiency and ability to multitask, both of which allow her to find success through balance. “I find myself constantly balancing the day-to-day within the operations [at the resort] but then also an overall work-life balance,” she says. “I have to ensure that I stay on top of my role here at Snow King as general manager…then on the home front, I need to make sure I’m being the best mom, wife, and daughter I can. Both roles are vitally important, just in different ways.”