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Son of industry icon talks disruption, opportunities

Following in the footsteps of a famed hotelier father, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea General Manager Marc Bromley understands the value of life balance to optimize his performance at the office and at home. Bromley, whose background includes stints at a handful of Four Seasons resorts in the Americas and also at Peninsula Hotels, says his routine includes regular exercise – and being home for dinner every night. 

Marc Bromley: "We must adapt and evolve our practices to remain relevant and competitive in the talent pool."
Marc Bromley: “We must adapt and evolve our practices to remain relevant and competitive in the talent pool.”

HOTELS: How are you disrupting your field?

Marc Bromley: It’s disappointing that this might still be considered ‘disrupting,’ but our industry is notoriously bad about allowing our people to live a balanced life while delivering great results at work. We have to choose to put balance first and it’s not an optional ‘if you can.’ We lead with the equation, ‘Behavior x Output = Performance,’ which prevents those who are notorious for delivering great results despite long hours, bad attitudes, poor leadership skills, to remain best in class. 

H: What is the industry ignoring at its peril?

MB: Too many hotels do not understand that balance and dynamic behavior are required qualities of exceptional leaders and well-run operations. Hiding behind a great P&L and exceptional service scores does not cut it anymore. Our people expect more and can get more in many other industries, so we must adapt and evolve our practices to remain relevant and competitive in the talent pool.

H: What are you reading right now?

MB: Literally, ‘The Culture Code’ by Daniel Coyle. Figuratively, ‘Search Inside Yourself’ by Chade Meng Tan. I say ‘figuratively’ because while I have read it once I revisit the lessons I learned from it often. It is the most important book I have ever read to optimize balance, mindfulness and leadership qualities that are so critical in my life as a father, husband and GM, in that order.

H: What websites do you check regularly?

MB: I get all of the industry emails, Google Alerts and click through the links as needed. However, I would say my two go-to, one stop shop sites/apps are Twitter and Instagram. Twitter for my news and current events and Instagram since I get so much inspiration, not to mention entertainment from that app.

H: What do you try to do every day?

MB: I try to exercise at least five times per week, which is a combination of cardio and resistance. I also try to meditate daily since our industry, plus my ‘part-time job’ of father and husband, which is three times as hard as my day job, demands a lot of me. I also make it a point to be home every night in time for dinner and/or bedtime with my kids.

H: Your father, former Hyatt and Four Seasons GM Stan Bromley, is an industry icon. Does that put any pressure on you?

MB: Stan who? I joke that being the ‘son of Stan’ is almost as notorious as the ‘son of Sam.’ Early on it was great since it afforded me opportunities I would not have otherwise had. However, it quickly shifted to expectations that were higher than others would have, jealousy from others and actually created more hurdles than opened doors. Then I learned to embrace it with pride and humility and am now very at peace with it. I am working in hotels and resorts the scope and size of which my dad never did. So, while I’m following in his footsteps, I am blazing my own trail as well.

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