Helping Leaders Grow with Bruce Harkey of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Hospitality Leaders - Interviews with hotel, event, and food service experts
English - December 21, 2021 18:41 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBBusiness Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
On this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Bruce Harkey, president and CEO at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a botanical landmark and cultural attraction in Columbus, Ohio. It features exceptional plant collections and gardens, seasonal exhibitions, and an array of educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Bruce started work at a greenhouse at age 15 and went on to get a horticulture degree as well as a business degree. He landed a job with Honda, staying with the carmaker for 18 years. When he heard the CEO position at the gardens was open, he jumped at the chance to go back to his horticulture roots.
As with most hospitality businesses, Covid hit Franklin Park hard, forcing a number of layoffs and budget-cutting measures. But the tide has turned and things are looking bright for the future.
Covid was a test for his leadership team, but Bruce believes in having open conversations with each team member to help them grow through good times and bad. He also enjoys nurturing a team member’s leadership skills to the point where they leave him to move their own career forward.
Teach them and let them flourish.
Resources
@Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
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