#180 Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Work Hard. Care Even Harder. The John Harper Blueprint
Guest: John Harper, Co-Founder & President, Global Hotel Advisors
Host: Bart Berkey, Founder of Most People Don’t, LLC

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Bart reconnects with longtime friend and hospitality icon John Harper—a man whose leadership legacy stretches from early Hyatt days to key executive roles at The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott International, and now, as co-founder of Global Hotel Advisors.

The conversation dives into the heart of what makes a leader truly respected: humility, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and a relentless drive to serve others. John shares not only leadership tactics but life lessons—from his father's immigrant story to coaching soccer, mentoring teams, and making the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship with purpose.

1. Be the person who clears off someone else’s windshield.

   
   – A snowstorm story from the early Hyatt days becomes a defining example of unprompted kindness and servant leadership.

   
   

2. Work hard. Care harder.
   – John’s drive came from his father’s example: hustle paired with the ability to “turn it off” and be present with family. It's about intensity matched with balance.

   
   

3. Great leaders adapt to their team—not just expect the team to adapt to them.
   – Success comes from meeting people where they are and building trust, not commanding compliance.

   
   

4. Leadership is earned, not assigned.
   – Titles don’t make people follow you. Trust, protection, and empowerment do.

   
   

5. Operational excellence requires curiosity.
   – John’s secret to growing was listening deeply—even in meetings where his own role wasn’t central. Every detail, even chillers and boiler redundancy, became useful knowledge later.

   
   

6. Push for the piano.
   – A wild idea to put a pianist at the Reagan airport gate taught John the importance of creating moments of luxury—and of not giving up too soon on big ideas.

   
   

7. Sometimes, the boldest career move is the personal one.
   – Leaving Marriott wasn’t driven by dissatisfaction—it was about personal alignment, balance, and doing what he always dreamed of.

   
   

8. Service excellence starts with culture.
   – No matter the building, brand, or design, it’s the people who make the guest write the thank-you letter. Invest in them.

   
   

“Most people don’t take advantage of what’s happening around them. But if you stay curious, if you observe, you can grow faster than you ever imagined.”

More about https://globalhoteladvisors.com

Connect with John Harper here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-harper-8571804/Additional stories about PEOPLE THAT DO... https://mostpeopledont.com