From General Manager to a Source of Energy for the Team
Why leadership means more to me than management
My name is Thomas, and since July 2021 I have been leading Seminaris Hotels Hotel Nürnberg as General Manager. For me, this role is much more than a traditional management position. It is about taking responsibility together with the team, overcoming challenges and creating a workplace where people enjoy working and growing.
What motivates me most is the opportunity to actively shape things. At Seminaris, it is not only about managing existing processes, but about rethinking hospitality together and exploring new approaches.
For me, collaboration, trust and a positive team culture are at the center of everything.
„Together with my fantastic team, I’m not only shaping everyday life at Seminaris Hotel Nürnberg, but also creating an inspiring work environment for everyone.“
How my role has changed
In my role as General Manager, I learned to connect tasks, responsibilities and different roles much more closely. Today, leadership no longer means controlling everything myself. Instead, it means giving people orientation and creating an environment where teams can work independently and take ownership.
Working within a flatter organisational structure continuously shows me how valuable trust, openness and shared learning really are. Many of the best solutions emerge when people are encouraged to contribute their own perspectives and take responsibility.
This changes not only collaboration, but also the culture of a hotel in a sustainable way.
What shaped me at Seminaris
At Seminaris Hotels, I experienced how important development and self-reflection are for modern leadership. The freedom to work creatively and explore new ideas has strongly influenced my perspective on hospitality and teamwork.
One of the most meaningful experiences for me was seeing how people personally developed throughout the company’s transformation journey. Watching teams grow together, take ownership and actively shape change still makes me proud today.
At the same time, I learned to work on my own weaknesses and continuously develop myself. For me, that is what sustainable leadership truly means.
What I take from my learning journey
For me, modern hospitality is mainly about connecting people and creating something positive together.
The opportunity to shape the future of our hotel together with my team motivates me every single day. It is not only about economic success, but also about building a culture that encourages trust, growth and collaboration.
