Shaping the Future of Hospitality Leaders: FIU’s Hospitality Leadership Development Program Powered by Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group

“This collaboration bridges academic excellence with industry expertise. We’re investing in the future of hospitality by shaping leaders who will elevate both our teams and guest experiences. In hospitality, leadership is the heartbeat of every guest experience. Programs like this ensure that our leaders are equipped not just to manage, but to inspire.” Matias Pesce, CEO of Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group.

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Culture in hospitality should be more than a word, it should be the way we lead, the way we serve, and the way we care for one another. It is built daily through passion, commitment, and shared actions, becoming the living expression of how we treat each other, the attention we give to the smallest details, and the dedication to going beyond expectations. True culture shows up in how we empower our leaders and create meaningful connections with guests and communities alike. And while academic or leadership programs may last only a few days, it is up to each leader to carry those lessons forward, understanding that one class alone won’t do the trick. Transformation happens when learning is embraced and turned into daily actions and routines that make us stronger.

By investing in leadership and cultivating culture through consistent practice, we deepen our roots, expand our reach, and ensure every guest experience reflects the very best of who we are and what we stand for as an industry.

The hospitality industry thrives on passion, people, and purpose. To lead in such a dynamic field requires more than operational expertise — it demands vision, resilience, and the ability to inspire. In response, FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, in collaboration with Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group, introduced the Hospitality Leadership Development Programs: two- and three-day immersive experiences designed to equip leaders with the tools, mindset, and strategies needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving hospitality industry. The three-day program, developed for senior leaders, explores key areas such as leadership evolution, DISC behavioral insights, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.

Day 1: Foundations of Leadership & Purpose
The program opens by addressing what many leaders often overlook, wellbeing and mental health as core ingredients for motivation and engagement. Participants explored how self-care fuels team performance, and how leaders set the tone for workplace culture.
Boss vs. Leader: Shifting from command-driven roles to building safety and trust.
Response-Ability: Redefining responsibility as the ability to respond rather than control.
Be – Have – Do Framework: A transformative model reminding leaders that identity (“be”) drives capability (“have”) and action (“do”).
DISC Perception: Understanding that no leadership style is superior — Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness each bring unique value.
Motivation & Engagement: Exploring intrinsic vs. extrinsic drivers and the AMP Model (Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose) as the pathway to long-term engagement.
Purpose-led Leadership: Leaders examined their brand values and personal purpose, recognizing that clarity here becomes the foundation of authentic leadership

Day 2: Self-Awareness, Alignment & Growth
The second day focuses on deep self-reflection and alignment. The program emphasized that great leadership begins with knowing yourself and aligning personal purpose with organizational goals.

Self-Awareness & Purpose: Participants discovered the co-alignment model, bridging theory with practical application.
The Triangle of Learning: How knowledge, practice, and reflection work together to create long-term change.
Sharpen the Saw: Inspired by Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, leaders explored ways to renew and sustain energy.
Excitement + Opportunity: Framing leadership as a journey of continuous growth, fueled by both passion and responsibility.
External Insights: Reports and references, including work from Ernst & Young, encouraged participants to benchmark hospitality leadership against broader industry standards.

Day 3: Leading Change & Emotional Intelligence
The final day shifted focus to leading change, emotional resilience, and digital wellbeing, critical areas in an era of constant transformation.
Ritual = Habit + Goal: Leaders learned how small rituals become powerful levers for lasting change.
Kotter’s Change Model: A practical framework for leading transformation in hospitality teams.
The Change Curve: Mapping emotions and guiding teams through the natural stages of adaptation.
Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing, naming, and managing emotions using metrics of depth, duration, and frequency.
Strategies for Engagement: Practical tools for leaders to authentically connect with staff.
Digital Detox & Wellbeing: Exploring the balance between connectivity and self-care.
Time Management & Strategic Focus: Prioritizing what truly matters in a 24/7 industry.

The Bigger Impact
What makes the Hospitality Leadership Development Programs stand out is its holistic approach: it doesn’t just train managers,  it shapes leaders who are purpose-driven, emotionally intelligent, and prepared to lead change. By combining the academic rigor of FIU Chaplin School under the leadership of Dean Dr. Michael Cheng, with the expertise of professors Dr. Suzanne Bagnera and Dr. Sandro Formica, the program bridges theory and practice, inspiring a new generation of hospitality professionals to lead with resilience, empathy, and vision. For participants, this was more than a training, it marked the beginning of a leadership journey reinforcing the belief that leadership is not a position, but a lifelong practice.

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By E. Machado