As part of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality’s 2023 Top Women in Travel & Hospitality report, which features in-depth interviews with leading female executives from across the industry, we asked honorees several questions, including “What is your leadership philosophy and how do you embody it?” Here are a few of their insightful responses to that particular question.

“The leadership philosophy I abide by is, ‘Set a vision, then get out of the way to allow your team to do their best work.’ One of the most important things you can do as a leader is surround yourself with a team of experts who are passionate and good at what they do. If you build a team of individuals who challenge each other’s thinking and are constantly pushing each other to be their best, you naturally open pathways for growth and success. As a marketing leader, I aim to set clear objectives for my team, give them the runway and resources for success, make myself available to support and coach them, and then celebrate their wins.” –Noha Abdalla, Chief Marketing Officer, Choice Hotels

“My leadership philosophy is based on a relationship and solutions-oriented leadership approach. First and foremost, I believe that everything starts with the quality of one’s relationships. To be most effective in life, one must have a genuine care for others. This care is deeper than words and rather seeks to understand individuals’ desires, fears, aspirations, goals, etc. It also requires one to exhibit a level of empathy that allows a leader to meet people where they are, resulting in helping people to achieve their potential. Understanding we all face challenges, I believe that we should view them as a great opportunity to grow and develop. While some challenges are harder than others, they all provide us an opportunity to think differently and innovatively as we develop viable solutions to solve challenges. As a leader, when you tap into your established relationships, you’re better positioned to lead your team through difficult situations and deliver viable solutions. This ability comes through intentionality in developing relationships and being optimistic about the opportunities that challenges bring to an individual or a team.” –Maruchy Cantu, Executive Vice President, Administration, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

“My approach to leadership is one of transparency, collaboration and empowerment. We’re all on this journey together. I strongly believe that everyone on the team needs to understand department goals and company goals, because both relate to individual goals and expectations. Sharing this knowledge helps everyone see how they fit into the success of the company. I love turning to my team for feedback and for ideas for improvement. As a company currently experiencing high growth, I’m of the mindset that we should challenge our standard procedures. I’ve found that some of the best ideas for improvement come from those doing day-to-day tasks. Lastly, I work with my team to build their confidence in their decision making. Mistakes will happen, but in the mistakes there’s always a learning opportunity.” –Missy Paul, Head of Operations, Vacations by Rail

“My leadership philosophy is a blend of support, empowerment and authenticity. Individually, I’ve found that the highest performers are those who are inspired, given the right guidance and resources to perform to their potential. I work to understand each of my team member’s strengths and empower them to shine in those areas. But one person is as strong as an effective team, which requires trust and a recognition of each individual’s strengths. I work with and relate to my team members in a very real, very genuine manner, with the goal of building teams who trust and complement one another.” –Jessica Shannon, Chief Experience Officer, Sandals Resorts

“My leadership philosophy is centered around two key mantras: ‘Lift as you rise’ and ‘Challenge the status quo’. Mentorship and advocacy are at the center of almost every decision I make as a leader. How can I remove barriers and create access for others as I navigate my own path? At the same time, Grace Hopper’s poignant quote, ‘The most dangerous phrase in the language is ‘we’ve always done it this way’’ resonates deeply with me, especially in my role driving systemic change through diversity, equity and inclusion within the tech and travel industries.” –Alexandra Legend Siegel, Vice President and Global Head of DEI – Talent, Expedia Group

To hear more from these women leaders (as well as other honorees) on additional important topics related to both leadership and the travel and hospitality industry, download the full report, 2023 Top Women in Travel and Hospitality.