Let’s Talk Mentoring
Get to know Jarle Moen, well known hotelier and now Managing Director of Sommerro, where he is responsible for leading the opening and development progress of the new hotel. Prior to this Jarle was the General Manager of the luxury hotel THE THIEF in Oslo, which opened its doors back in January 2013, and was highly successful in establishing the hotel, owned by Nordic Choice Hotels, as one of the country’s leading luxury retreats. Jarle has an impressive track record as General Manager for several other Nordic Choice Hotels.
Jarle is an active member of HSMAI and has been part of the HSMAI Europe mentor programme for several years. He has had 2 mentees as part of this programme already and is now ready for his third. Will that be you or anyone from your team?
Of course, Jarle Moen has an expectation or two for his new mentee:
I would be delighted to work with someone who is highly committed and also from the international scene, I think. I picture maybe a rookie hotel manager or general manager, eager to rise in the ranks, says Jarle.
We have asked Jarle some questions so we can all get to know him better
What motivates you to succeed as a mentor?
Few things in life are as rewarding as being able to help others to succeed. I am passionate about people and personal development.
Secondly, acting as a mentor goes both ways. I can offer experience and guidance. In return, I know the mentee will offer me new perspectives and fresh thinking. The combination makes mentor programs so valuable for all involved.
What do you consider your biggest strength?
I think people who know me would say I am deeply committed to building teams and strong team cultures. All the golden taps and marble in the world cannot make up for the excellent service provided from a strong, welcoming hotel team.
How would your coworkers describe you?
I hope they will describe me as passionate and truly committed to my team.
Describe your leadership style.
We are playing in the elite division at Sommerro, so I do demand a lot from the people in my team. We have hired the best for a reason. I put a lot of emphasis on empowering the people around me and giving them a chance to show what they are good for. Everyone needs the time and chance to learn, but they must be committed from the word go. Also, at Sommerro we want the staff to be themselves. We encourage individuals, but not individualism. A good team is the sum of the great people within it. We all have different personalities and different skill sets. Trying to become similar is usually a waste of that talent.
As soon as people prove themselves, I tend to give them a lot of space to perform. Nobody wants a leader hanging over their shoulder. Skilled people find it motivating to set high goals and to achieve them.
Describe your leadership style.
We are playing in the elite division at Sommerro, so I do demand a lot from the people in my team. We have hired the best for a reason. I put a lot of emphasis on empowering the people around me and giving them a chance to show what they are good for. Everyone needs the time and chance to learn, but they must be committed from the word go. Also, at Sommerro we want the staff to be themselves. We encourage individuals, but not individualism. A good team is the sum of the great people within it. We all have different personalities and different skill sets. Trying to become similar is usually a waste of that talent.
As soon as people prove themselves, I tend to give them a lot of space to perform. Nobody wants a leader hanging over their shoulder. Skilled people find it motivating to set high goals and to achieve them.
Do you think there is still a (an industry) perception that mentoring is something aimed at those in the early stages of their career?
I don´t know if it is a common perception, but I do know that experienced professionals, like myself, would probably have a lot to gain by having one or more mentors ourselves. I especially think that experienced professionals may have a lot to gain by having a mentor younger and less experienced, or someone from a completely different trade.
You have had 2 mentees before on the HSMAI Region Europe Mike Leven mentor programme. What made you decide to continue with a new one when you are in the middle of opening a new hotel?
It is a very busy period indeed, but I don’t find mentoring draws energy from me. It fills me with new energy.
What is it you most enjoy about mentoring?
All the reflections involved in discussing and giving advice – and all the new perspectives you get from having a mentee. The need to take one step back and put words onto what we do and how we do it. And to get to know someone as closely as you do with a mentee.
What do you expect from your potential mentee?
Honesty and dedication. If they don’t want to open up about the issues they are facing it is impossible to give good advice. And if they aren´t dedicated to their job and their career the mentorship is of little use.
You are recognised as a leading light and hotelier in the Scandinavian luxury hotel market – particularly for launching and growing boutique hotels in the region. What advice would you give to others who are about to launch a new hotel?
Thank you! Those are very kind words. I guess my best advice would be to ensure you have a strong concept and a vision that can guide all the decisions. And a strong story that unites everyone involved in the project. But most importantly, compose a team of people that are better than you to interpret the concept into all parts of the hotel experience.
You are about to open a new hotel in September – tell us a little more about how the launch is going.
This is the largest and most ambitious hotel project going on in the Nordics at the moment. Housing 231 rooms in one of the most spectacular original art deco buildings in Oslo, decorated by some of the most influential artists from the 30s, housing the legendary community swimming pool Vestkantbadet, five restaurants, three bars, a library, Oslo´s only rooftop swimming pool and even its own culture scene, this is a massive project. With only months to go a large project like this tends to feel overwhelming, but that is part of the buzz. We are on track. The team is really coming together, the premises look stunning, and I am confident you will all have something to look forward to in September.
Anything else you would like to share with us and your potential mentee?
The travel industry is getting back on its feet after some very tough years of Covid. In Norway, many great workers have been forced to leave the hotel profession, and the industry is really struggling to find enough staff to fill in as people start travelling again. We need everyone who loves this industry to spread the word, help recruit more good people into it and stay positive while we ramp up the pace again. The whole hotel family must work together to recruit and retain all the great talent in the industry.
Sommerro is due to open on September 1st, 2022, and will be the first-of-its-kind 231-room neighborhood hotel housed in a landmark building in Oslo which was once the headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city’s electrical company. Across the 231 rooms, including an accompanying Villa Inkognito with 11 suites and public spaces like the four restaurants and three bars, the building’s original features such as the exterior bas-reliefs, the colourful mosaic art and the decorative art deco details have been expanded and developed to create a rich interior, which takes its cues from the 1930s. There will also be a strong focus on wellness with an ample gym and 18 treatment rooms, the highlight being the building’s basement public bath, which will be restored and transformed into Sommerro’s pool and saunas. https://www.sommerrohouse.com
- Regardless of whether you work on a national, European of global basis and have a lengthy experience in management, the demand for increased competence is on the rise. The industry is changing rapidly, the market is challenging, which is why it is more important now than ever to keep abreast of developments, and continuously improve our skills and learn from others.
- The program is aimed at all age groups and levels in the industry.
- A pan-European mentor program working across different disciplines and companies within travel and hospitality can prove to be favourable for mentors and mentees, personally, professionally, but also for the respective companies and for the industry as a whole.
- No cost for HSMAI Europe members
- If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee please contact us at postbox@hsmai.eu
