Discussion:
Interview with Mark Tomilson
Marker 20 restaurant
Hampton VA
Interviewee: Mark Tomilsona dear friend as well as the General Manager for Springhill Suites/Residence Inn Marriot, which is located in Williamsburg Va. He has been in the General Manager for 15 years. He is the person who is on the front line for his employees and as well as the hotel customers.
• What does leadership mean to you? Getting a group of people to succeed with in their own fields as well as to achieve the goal of the company they work.
• What strengths do you believe you have as a leader?One has to care for the individual. Mark is able to see the strengths in people;he also treats people as individuals. Work with the employees on their weaknesses. Mark pulls their leadership quality out by making them aware of how they have been doing their job.
Weaknesses? In the past Mark had many weaknesses from not understanding individuals he was working with to how the company truly worked. To now he has a better Understanding of how his company and the individuals work. Mark has been strengthened within the community.
• What has been your greatest influence as a leader?
• Do you believe that leaders should make other people feel strong and confident? If so, what do you do to help others feel this way? Yes, one must be able to see the good within themselves so that they can do their job well. Mark feels that giving his employees choices to better themselves in a relaxed environment allows his employees the confidence they need to make the company succeed. (Kouzes& Posner 2004 p. 83)
• Do you think it is important to delegate? If so, why? Yes, delegation is an area where you grow people. Delegation is to make sure that people are in the right place.
• What are three or four actions you believe are essential to enable others to be successful? Have to have the interest of the company. Have a relaxed fun environment and trusts. In order to have an effective team one must be able to trust his employees as well as I (Mark) have to be trusted. (Kouzes& Posner 2004 p. 89)
• What advice do you have for building relationships and trust in a group or organization? Trust is not built in one day! Trust takes time for both individuals or even in the group. The only way I know how is to allow the individuals to be themselves and do their job.
• How would you describe your leadership style (e.g., servant leadership)? If so, how do you demonstrate that leadership style in your organization or group?To be a good leader is to be supportive of the people that I am leading. I would like to think that I am a servant leader. I like to think that I am there for the employees. I would not be where I am today if they did not help me and work with me.
• What are your core values and how are they reflected in what you do as a leader?Everybody has to be willing and ready to work. I like everyone to be honest, open with me, and approach me when anytime they need or want.
• How do you facilitate improvement, manage change, and deal with mistakes in your group or organization? How do you deal with your own mistakes? Change is always good and has to be understood. One cannot just say this is what I expect. In order for the change to take place people, have to understand the change. To deal with mistakes one has to deal with the individual at hand and ask questions. Once I (Mark) realize that I made a mistake I automatically acknowledge the mistakeand do my best to correct it and not let it happen again.
• How do you manage conflict within your group or organization?Mark does not any have conflict with his employees. If a problem or conflict arises, he has the individuals write down what exactly happened. This avoids any emotions to come into play and gets right to the source. Mark will also sit down with both parties and be the mediator. Conflict is a bad thing!