INTERVIEW - ANURAAG BHATNAGAR, CEO OF THE LEELA PALACES, HOTELS AND RESORTS: “GIVE THEM A HEAD START IN THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY” (India)
The Leela Palaces group has developed its own management and leadership programme. A tool for attracting, retaining and nurturing talent within a group where excellence knows no boundaries.
INTERVIEW - ANURAAG BHATNAGAR, CEO OF THE LEELA PALACES, HOTELS AND RESORTS: “GIVE THEM A HEAD START IN THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY” (India)
The Leela Palaces group has developed its own management and leadership programme. A tool for attracting, retaining and nurturing talent within a group where excellence knows no boundaries.
At the helm of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts for more than four years, Anuraag Bhatnagar has travelled the galaxy of luxury hotels in India over the past 35 years. From his beginnings at Oberoi, then Méridien and Starwood, before rising to the top within the Marriott International group in Bombay and Goa, the man has acquired solid experience of the luxury hospitality industry and tailor-made service.
For the man who believes that luxury is based on authenticity, anticipation, innovation, personalisation and collaboration, and who is nicknamed “the man with the Midas touch” (who turns what he touches into gold), hard work is the key to success. He spares no effort to help his teams achieve excellence. It is in this context that the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP) was launched in 2022.
For the Journal des Palaces, the CEO talks about the workings and virtues of this programme, “designed to identify and train the best talent in the industry and to develop the luxury leaders of tomorrow”.
Journal des Palaces: What is the Leela Leadership Development Program?
Anuraag Bhatnagar: Leela Leadership Development Program (LLDP) is a 15-month management training programme designed to identify and groom the best talent in the industry and nurture luxury leaders of tomorrow for the brand. This programme is built around a world-class curriculum, in partnership with Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) in alliance with Les Roches, coupled with real-world training at The Leela’s iconic properties.
LLDP is a tailored programme that assesses the necessary skills and competencies specifically nuanced to cater to the needs of the hospitality industry and the expectations of a luxury consumer today. It facilitates functional training including knowledge, skills and behavioural aspects through a combination of classroom and on the job training with blended learning modules on global hospitality competencies.
How does it fit into The Leela Palaces' staff acquisition and retention strategy?
The programme supports The Leela’s talent acquisition and retention in many ways:
It not only provides a great opportunity to grow for the high potentials within The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts but also attracts the top talent from the best hospitality brands across India.
Strong positive message across The Leela properties is delivered about the brand's commitment to 'develop' and grow internal talent into managers rather than just hire from other brands.
It helps the brand build a robust culture of managers and future-ready leaders with a strong The Leela pedigree.
The Leela becomes the most preferred hospitality brand for the aspirational hospitality talent.
The brand is able to nurture talent as per The Leela hospitality way by making them “luxury hospitality ready”.
How many graduates have already come through the programme? What is the Group's retention rate for these graduates?
The Leela’s first batch of LLDP had 23 management trainees that successfully completed and graduated the programme in 2023. The retention rate since the programme completion is at 95%. Currently, there are 29 management trainees in the “class of 2024”.
How does the 15-month programme work?
The 15-month programme is divided into the following:
Two structured ‘On the job trainings' (OJT) at two different properties of the brand spanning a period of 14 months
Three 10-day Bootcamps at the Indian School of Hospitality’s (ISH) campus spanning 1 month, where the management trainees are taken through a carefully curated management development curriculum, followed by weekly online classes by a world-class faculty
The OJTs as well as the pedagogy at ISH are structured with built-in periodic appraisals and assessments (including practical capstone projects) to ensure progress checks, regular feedback as well as counselling and mentoring sessions to ensure not just professional progress but also personal growth of each talent.
What are the prerequisites for joining the programme?
A LLDP aspirant must have an experience of one year in the industry in a similar range of hotels that are known for luxury hospitality. Along with being graduates from a reputed Hotel Management Institution, they must also possess excellent communication skills and a pleasant personality. Additionally, they must also be able to showcase leadership skills which can further be honed with training and development.
What career paths can graduates imagine after the programme?
The management trainees of Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP) are posted as 'Assistant Managers' at The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts across India. The programme is designed in a way to give them a head start in their leadership journey. Their career path is charted in a way to develop them into General Managers or other such leadership roles in their respective functions within 12–13 years. The first batch of LLDP passed out in August 2023 and are on their way to grow and prosper as leaders of the hospitality industry.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to work in the luxury hotel industry?
Luxury hospitality is all about creating unique personalised experiences and memories for guests. It is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world and provides incredible opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally. Young hospitality aspirants need to remember that the key to success in hospitality is passion, attention to detail and pursuing the highest standards of excellence when it comes to delivering unforgettable guest experiences.
As a journalist and luxury hotel expert inspired by the men and women who embody it, Vanessa aspires to enhance and sublimate the beauty and elegance of palaces through her writing. "In a palace, simplicity serves the quest for excellence" she admires.
