Malisa Shepherd, Hotel Manager at The Landmark London joins PA Life’s Inspiring Women series of interviews discussing what it takes to make it into the top leadership as a woman. Malisa draws from her extensive experience of working over 28 years within the hospitality industry, the last 14 of which she has spent working her way up the ranks at The Landmark Hotel…
What challenges have you faced as a woman in leadership, and how have you overcome them?
One of the challenges I have faced is how to deal with the unconscious bias that comes with being a woman in a leadership role as well as being prepared to deal with assumptions and questions based on my gender, age or ethnicity: “You’re a mother? How did you find the time to meet your husband and have a family? Have you always been so confident and loud? Have you ever thought about “softening your voice or changing?” I overcame this by not allowing the unconscious bias stop me – it is the action of few and not the majority!
What needs to change in the hotel industry to make leadership positions more accessible for women and other marginalised genders?
I feel the hotel industry is adapting to the needs of women and other marginalised genders by offering more flexible schedules when needed, remote working for certain roles, equal growth opportunities and appointing more females into leadership roles – encouraging future generations.
Did you have a mentor or role model who helped shape your career? How important is mentorship for women aiming for leadership roles?
Yes! Early in my management career, I was lucky to have a female manager who regularly guided me; offering advice, pushed me when I was doubting myself and reminded me that it is important to be prepared to have a voice , be confident and know your worth.
What’s advice would you give to the next generation of women looking to build a successful career in this industry?
Hospitality is a fast paced and demanding environment. My advice to someone who wants to be successful in the industry needs to be willing to work hard, be adaptable, remember you belong and make your goals known so you have people around you who both support and challenge you.
What does the International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is both a day of celebration and a call to action – it’s about bringing others together with you and lifting others up along the way.
What has been the most challenging and the most exciting about managing such a big hotel and team?
One of the toughest and jointly exciting parts about managing a large hotel is supporting a large diverse team, ensuring we have the same shared vision whilst also being willing to create memorable guest experiences and shaping a positive work environment.
How do you keep a good work-life-balance?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that I don’t have to do everything myself. Trusting my team and empowering them allows me to step back when necessary and spend quality time with family. The key word is balance!
Has the hotel industry become easier for women to break into since you started 28 years ago?
When I first started in the hotel industry, leadership roles were mainly male-dominated, and women had to work twice as hard to prove themselves. Nowadays the industry has definitely evolved. More women are taking on GM, VP, and even CEO roles, something that was very rare when I started. I am proud to be the first female Hotel Manager of The Landmark London and it is so inspiring to see more and more women progressing into leadership roles worldwide. I believe this is because women have different focuses to men – they are more aware of the impact of working together, inclusivity, attention to detail and the power of being a role model who inspires and guides future professionals.
You can read more of PA Life’s exclusive interviews with women inspiring other women in leadership roles.
