How does someone who starts his studies to be a chemical engineer, learns nuclear chemistry, study law, then drops everything to work as a waiter, security guard, and later become a successful manager of international luxury hotels?
Saeid Heidari, who until recently was the General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Budapest in Hungary, was invited to visit Ludovika - UPS by Vice-rector Dr. László Christián, Pol. Brigadier General on 20 April 2023, and gave an engaging presentation on his leadership skills, guiding values, commitment to quality, loyalty, honor, humanity, humility and honesty in front of the MA students of the university.
His presentation drew on a rich and varied leadership experience as he had previously guided several start-ups, small and medium businesses to success before managing more than seven major international hotels (currently in Dubai).
Saeid Heidari’s lecture made it tangible for the audience that what exactly the difference is between a manager and a leader. He always shows vision, makes strategies, works hard and continuously improves himself. He has deep respect, appreciation and continuously develops his team. He is a supportive leader, accessible to all of his colleagues, who knows that he can earn or maintain the trust of his guests by providing the highest quality service. The staff, that running the hotels, could be a few hundred or even a few thousand people, but they always trust each other and him. As Saeid Heidari says, he does not follow a particular management style, but rather always tries to do his job 'with a style'. From the witty, clever and touching stories he shared with his audience, a picture emerges of a leader that could be a model for the future leaders in public administration and the civil service. The image of a leader who does not squeeze the highest quality ‘from above’, but thinks in terms of teamwork and collective performance. He provides a personal example of how to remain sensitive to each other, how to solve social problems and there is always something to do about human relations on a regular basis. He also helps with fundraiser organizations and does charity work, which he always makes time for.
Text: Ágnes Jenei, Eszter Nagy, Balázs Reiter
Photos: Boglárka Soós