Isadore Sharp Quotes
16 quotes from Isadore Sharp — Founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality brand..
“Excellence is the capacity to take pain”
“Great companies first build a culture of discipline . . . and create a business model that fits squarely in the intersection of three circles: what they can be best in the world at, a deep understanding of their economic engine, and the core values they hold with deep passion.”
“The simple idea is that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.”
“Living up to your commitments is part of business ethics. My word is my bond.”
“Long-term success is never achieved on our own. The phrase 'a self-made man' is a myth. All along the way, we need support.”
“People derive the most satisfaction from doing the best they can.”
“The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It's the Golden Rule.”
“I think I can put it in two words: Patience and understanding.”
“We are only what we do, not what we say we are.”
“In 1961, when I built my first hotel, I knew nothing about the hotel business. My only professional experience was in building apartments and houses. I was just a builder and the hotel was just another real estate deal. I never thought that this was going to be a career.”
“When we looked closely, it became clear that the greatest luxury for our customers was time. And service could help them make the most of that, giving them greater productivity, greater enjoyment.”
“Over the years, we've initiated many new ideas that have been copied and are now the norm in the industry. But the one idea that our customers value the most cannot be copied — the consistent quality of our exceptional service. That service is based on a corporate culture, and a culture cannot be mandated as a policy.”
“I approach the business of innkeeping from a customer's perspective. I was the host and the customers were my house guests. I decided what to build and how to operate by asking myself, what would the customers consider important? What would the customers recognize as value?”
“The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It's the Golden Rule — the simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.”
“We want people who like other people, and are therefore more motivated to serve them. Competence we can teach; attitude is ingrained.”
“The company evolved slowly at first, and I'll admit I made a few mistakes along the way, but I never made the mistake of putting profit ahead of people.”
