Leadership & Management

The world’s greatest performers share one trait: they refuse to settle. Being unsatisfiable in leadership means raising the bar again and again, seeing beyond today’s success, and pursuing what’s possible instead of what’s comfortable. At EAG, this mindset fuels our culture and keeps us relentlessly moving toward better.

Winning isn't accidental — it’s intentional. Inspired by Gene Kranz during Apollo 13, this piece explores how unwavering belief, accountability, and decisive action create a winning culture. When leaders anchor their why, empower smart debate, and commit to results, organizations stop trying and start winning.

When teams understand why they work, not just what they do, clarity and passion rise. This article explores how leaders can align mission and operations—helping team members define their role in sixty seconds or less and connect it to the organization’s purpose. When what you do flows from why you do it, engagement strengthens and performance thrives.

When purpose flows through performance, everyday tasks take on meaning. This post explores how leaders can help their teams connect their daily work to the organization’s greater mission — transforming routine responsibilities into acts of purpose and passion.

A mission statement shouldn’t sit on a wall—it should set the tone for everything your team does. This post explores how leaders can breathe life into the mission by owning it, speaking it often, and letting it challenge the culture. When a mission moves from words to action, it becomes the pulse that drives people toward purpose and performance.

Even the most remarkable success stories began with rejection. From Walt Disney to J.K. Rowling and The Beatles, history reminds us that staying true to your purpose is what transforms failure into greatness. At EAG, our mission to create unparalleled experiences remains unwavering—because purpose, not approval, defines success.

A mission isn’t powerful because it’s written—it’s powerful because it works. After 90 days, signs appear: passion grows, disengaged people fade, quality rises, a desire to win takes root, and the team begins to see meaning in their work. When your mission transforms culture and performance, you’ll know it’s alive.

History’s greatest leaders — from Kennedy and Lincoln to Jobs, Carson, and even Moses — all shared an unshakable sense of purpose. Each pursued a mission greater than themselves, transforming the world through courage and conviction. At Ellis Adams Group, we follow that same call — to create unparalleled experiences that inspire, uplift, and leave lasting impact.

Every company must have a why—a purpose beyond profit. At Ellis Adams Group, our mission is clear: we exist to create unparalleled experiences. This purpose unifies our team, sets a higher standard, filters our priorities, and gives clarity to everything we do. More than projects, we create meaningful moments that leave clients, customers, and colleagues better than when we found them.

At Ellis Adams Group, our mission is simple: to create unparalleled experiences. From hotel openings to leadership coaching, every decision runs through this filter. Internally, it inspires purposeful teamwork. Externally, it ensures clients and guests encounter excellence, luxury, and true connection. We don’t just meet expectations—we redefine them.

Great leaders wear two hats: visionary and manager. One casts the dream, the other ensures it’s achieved. Lean too far either way, and you risk crushing morale or leaving goals unfulfilled. Balance vision with execution to inspire your team and deliver results.

Leadership isn’t about one “most important thing.” Service, product, process—all matter when it comes to building excellence. What’s most important shifts depending on what fails: a bad coffee, a missed paycheck, or a dirty room. True leadership creates systems where every detail works together, ensuring both team and customer experience thrive.

Steve Jobs didn’t outrun cancer, but he made one final leadership decision—naming Tim Cook as Apple’s next CEO. True leadership isn’t about holding power; it’s about preparing others to carry the vision forward. Leaders must mentor, train, and hand over with purpose, because “now” never lasts.

Leaders shouldn’t think for their teams. If you’re constantly stepping in, doing the work, or explaining each step, it’s either a clarity issue or a capability gap. Great leaders act like coaches—setting clear expectations, equipping their teams, and then stepping back. True leadership is about developing others, not doing their jobs for them.

After an earthquake forced Theo Lakkas’ family to live in a tent, he learned that gratitude and perspective can turn hardship into fuel for growth. Today, as EAG EMEA’s Director of Food and Beverage, Theo sees those struggles as the foundation for his passion and success. His story reminds us that true leadership begins with gratitude and the perspective to keep moving forward.

When George H. W. Bush announced Dan Quayle as his running mate in New Orleans, the VP candidate was nowhere to be found—stuck in the crowd with his family. The moment exposed a critical planning gap, but it didn’t stop the campaign from winning. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about recovering, adapting, and moving forward when things go wrong.

Michael Jordan’s reflections in The Last Dance reveal timeless leadership lessons: challenge others, raise standards, and never ask more than you give. True winners lead by example, endure the cost of greatness, and pull others forward—even when it’s unpopular. Leadership isn’t about being liked; it’s about elevating your team. If you want to win, you must lead with fire, resilience, and unwavering commitment.

Leadership is influence, but influence only lasts when it’s built on trust. Great leaders keep promises, value people, and lead with integrity. This article explores how building trust in leadership creates lasting influence, inspires purpose-driven teams, and fuels long-term success.