The story
Nobody asked if he was ready. He just had to be.
Jorge Venegas started as a banquet waiter at the Bogotá Royal, learning to carry a tray of whiskies without spilling them on the guests. Almost forty years later he had been general manager of hotels and clubs in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Belize and the United States.
This is not a theory book. It's the story, told with humor and without embellishment, of everything that happened in between: the first night as night manager, hotel openings with the building still under construction, tyrant chefs, difficult guests, the mistakes and the decisions that cost dearly. And what each of those experiences taught him about leading people.
“The title of boss is given by a letter of appointment; the title of leader is given only by the team.”From Waiter to General Manager
Banquet waiterThe Bogotá Royal, the hottest hotel of the eighties.
Front desk & night auditGraveyard shifts and balancing the books at 3 a.m.
Night managerA first night he never forgot: Room 320.
Recreation & televisionWhere he lost his stage fright and learned to win over a crowd.
Human resources & assistant GMHis first hotel openings from the ground up.
General manager in five countriesCaracas, Margarita Island, Cumaná, Manta, Belize, Bogotá and Florida.
Reinventing himself at 61Consultant, leadership coach and founder of HOTELIER.
