3 July 2020 | Articles, Articles 2020, Book Reviews, Book Reviews 2020 | By Christophe Lachnitt
Book Review: “Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide To Becoming The Best In A World Of Compromise” By Horst Schulze With Dean Merrill (2019, 224 Pages)
An inspiring vision of leadership.
A legend in the hotel world, Horst Schulze‘s teachings and vision have reshaped the concepts of service and hospitality across industries. He was one of the founding members of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in 1983. There, Horst Schulze created the operating and service standards that have become world famous. After leaving The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, he went onto found The Capella Hotel Group, a luxury hotel company that managed some of the most elite properties worldwide.
In “Excellence Wins,” he recounts his career and shares his vision of leadership.
Going back to Adam Smith’s “The Theory Of Moral Sentiments” (1759), Horst Schulze explains why human beings cannot relate to orders and directions. They relate instead to motives and objectives. This belief informs the difference he sees between managers and leaders: Managers push, leaders inspire.
“Excellence Wins” combines vision and action in its advice on leadership. It is full of interesting anecdotes on the culture that Horst Schulze developed at The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company.
RATING: B.