Frédérique Selbeck, the dynamic Rooms Division Manager of art’otel Amsterdam, was recently honored with the Future Hotel Leader Award 2024, recognizing her remarkable leadership contributions and vision within the hotel industry. This accolade symbolizes not only her individual success but also the collective effort of her team. Let’s delve deeper into Frédérique’s story, her inspirations, and her future plans.
The Moment of Appreciation
Winning the Future Hotel Leader Award was an unparalleled moment of pride and joy for Frédérique. “It felt like a dream come true when my name was announced. Surrounded by my colleagues, I felt a wave of emotions—pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of appreciation for our collective efforts. I will always cherish this moment as confirmation of our hard work and dedication,” she shares.
Inspired by Challenges
In the early stages of my career, I experienced the challenging transition from minimal to full hotel occupancy after the COVID-19 pandemic. This time was difficult due to a shortage of staff, attributed to low salaries and post-pandemic issues. This led to extensive recruitment efforts and training for new personnel.
These experiences reinforced my conviction about the importance of taking care of oneself at work. I learned that addressing both the mental and physical well-being of employees not only helps deliver more and better work but is also crucial for a pleasant work atmosphere and satisfied employees and customers. Therefore, I made extra efforts to ensure that our employees feel good at work, aiming to create a healthy and supportive environment for everyone.
A Vision for Innovation
I believe that we should always strive for innovation and collaboration because if we don’t progress, we regress. It is essential to stay updated on new developments, especially in sustainability and technology. I want everyone, young and old, to feel important and contribute to achieving our common goals. I try to create a workplace where both younger and older employees feel at home. By appreciating everyone in my team, I aim to bring people of different ages closer together, fostering an open and modern corporate culture.
Innovation in Onboarding
One of my successful projects at art’otel was improving how new employees start. I find it crucial that they get a positive impression right away and feel connected to our brand. Instead of immediately putting them to work, I take them on a tour of Amsterdam. We visit well-known places such as Dam Square and the Nine Streets. This helps new colleagues quickly learn a lot about the city and our hotel, which they can then share with our guests, enhancing the overall experience for them.
Overcoming Challenges
Sometimes, I encounter resistance when introducing new ideas because not everyone is equally open to change. It is crucial, therefore, to clearly explain the benefits and involve everyone in the process. For instance, I recently implemented a new system that initially faced issues and wasn’t warmly received. By focusing on the positive aspects, such as improved safety and efficiency, and by remaining determined and positive, we overcame these obstacles together. Believing in the improvements and conveying this belief to the team is essential. This requires perseverance and clear explanations of how the entire team benefits.
Balancing Innovation with Feasibility
In my work at art’otel, I always try to come up with new and big ideas while ensuring they can actually be executed. I first check if an idea fits within our budget, aligns with our brand, and if we can do it our way. Then, I create a plan for the initial steps and discuss with the general manager whether we can truly implement the idea. I like to think creatively but also pay attention to what we already know and what is feasible in the hotel industry, so we can truly bring our plans to life.
The Importance of Well-being
I genuinely believe that my focus on well-being and a balance between work and personal life is beneficial for everyone at art’otel Amsterdam. We have taken steps to improve well-being, such as providing meals at work and placing ergonomic mats at the reception to physically support the staff. By truly listening to what our employees need, we find out what is important to them. I want to be more than just the boss; I want to be someone the team can rely on, so we all find a good balance between our work and personal lives.
Recognition and Support
It means a lot to me when my colleagues and superiors, such as Niels Erenstein of art’otel, appreciate me. The support from Niels and the collaboration with my colleagues make our work enjoyable and motivating. Being nominated for a significant award and having everyone interested in what I do show that our hard work is seen and appreciated. This recognition not only makes me extra motivated but also creates an atmosphere where we acknowledge and collaborate well with each other.
Ambitions and Future Plans
After working for more than five years, including additional time through internships, I have now become the Rooms Division Manager. This is more than I ever envisioned when I was still studying. This position has further motivated and determined me to advance in the hotel industry. The support from PPHE and the opportunity to learn from experienced individuals like Niels have truly assisted me. My ultimate goal is to eventually become the hotel manager myself and help others grow in their careers.
Passion and Persistence in the Hotel Industry
My best advice for people just starting in the hotel industry is to stay enthusiastic and engaged. Many of my classmates from the hotel school in Maastricht have pursued different paths, but I want to emphasize how special this industry is. You come into contact with various cultures, and you can truly make a difference for people. Of course, working overnight or on holidays can be challenging, but it’s all worth it. Seize every opportunity, learn from everything you experience, and always look for ways to improve and discover new things.
Continuing to Motivate Despite Challenges
I started at the reception, and now I oversee the finances and plans of the hotel. This demonstrates how many different jobs you can have in hotels. I always stay positive and view every difficult situation as an opportunity to learn something new. The advice from my mother, that I should learn from my mistakes, helps me a lot in my work.
Inspiration and Mentorship
I haven’t had just one mentor, but I have learned a lot from various people, such as Niels Erenstein at art’otel and other key figures in the hotel industry worldwide. All these experiences have taught me a lot about leadership. The story of Bill Marriott, who expanded a small family hotel into a massive hotel chain, truly inspires me. It shows what you can achieve with clear goals, motivation, and utilizing the opportunities you are given.