The Prosper Accelerator retreat hosted by Inspire Brands this week provided a unique space for leaders in the hospitality industry to share insights into building stronger, more people-centered businesses. The Prosper Accelerator program, a signature initiative of the Prosper Forum, is designed to foster emerging leaders in the foodservice and hospitality industry. This year-long program, launched in 2023, brings together experienced industry mentors with exceptional talent to support leadership by developing a robust network of talented individuals to lead the way forward. To learn more about this impactful program and its commitment to empowering 1,000 leaders over the next decade, click here.

Here are five invaluable lessons I took away from the speakers over the last two days this week:

1. Lead with Giving Value

Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders, emphasized the point that leaders need to leave with their hands out, not with their hands up.  What she meant by this was that by creating a meaningful connection with team members starts by offering value first, and not focusing on yourself as the leader. Maria emphasized that generosity is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and loyalty. By focusing on genuinely helping others, we naturally cultivate trust and relationships.

2. Learn from Mistakes

Success stories are inspiring, but the journey’s real learning points often come from failures. Leaders shared candid stories of their setbacks and what they learned from these mistakes. This was a great reminder that even leaders need resilience and highlighted the importance of not just recovering from mistakes but actively seeking out what these experiences can teach. It’s through these hard-earned lessons that we adapt and grow.

3. Don’t Require Your Team to Always Be Right, But Require Them to Have a Point of View

Vans Nelson, Senior Vice President of Operations Innovation at Inspire Brands made this point.  Having a stance encourages proactive thinking and ensures that everyone is actively participating in the direction of the team and organization. Allowing for mistakes (and not penalizing for them) cultivates innovation.  By encouraging team members to voice their opinions can help leaders see any potential blind spots, and to consider all alternatives. 

4. Authentically Listen

Many speakers during the retreat underscored the importance of the skill of listening. The best leaders don’t just hear words; they listen to understand, empathize, and respond meaningfully. Authentic listening builds a bridge of respect and trust, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and understood.

5. Even IT is About the People

Finally, a surprising yet poignant takeaway was the reminder that even the most tech-driven areas of business should remain people-centered. Whether we’re talking about IT, logistics, or data analysis, it’s the human element that drives these functions forward. Keeping people’s needs and experiences at the forefront—even in tech-focused roles—strengthens alignment and ensures technology serves its most important purpose: empowering people.

The Prosper Accelerator retreat offered an invaluable opportunity for each Accelerator to learn from experienced leaders and gain meaningful insights into building people-focused, resilient businesses, as well as network with other leaders in the industry. I hope they found the retreat as impactful as I did and that the lessons shared will inspire their growth as leaders. I’m looking forward to seeing each of them continue to grow and make their mark, and I can’t wait to reconnect at the Prosper events in 2025 to celebrate their progress!