Before he became president of Red Roof, Zack Gharib cut his teeth in the hospitality industry, working tirelessly to open a Marriott in Indianapolis. The stakes were high, and the pressure intensified when Gharib learned that Bill Marriott, the legendary CEO of the company that bore his name, would visit to inspect the progress.
What happened next transformed Gharib’s approach to leadership forever. Marriott didn’t just walk in and inspect the work; he connected with the entire team. He shook hands, thanked every single team member, and made them feel valued. Then, he turned to Gharib and shared a lesson that would echo throughout his career.
“You have one job,” Marriott told him. “Take care of your team. And when you do that, they’ll take care of everything else.”
Appearing on a recent episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, Gharib reflected on that pivotal moment and how it shaped his leadership philosophy.
“As a young manager, listening to that from him, that stuck with me my entire life,” Gharib said. “That’s what I always do. Nobody will ever change my mind on this. I always want to make sure that my team is taken care of, and it has served me well.”
Today, as part of Red Roof’s onboarding process, Gharib meets every new hire personally.
“I get to meet all our new team members and listen to their stories,” Gharib shared on the podcast. “Where are they from? What made them choose Red Roof? What’s important to them? What culture do they want to be part of? And, of course, I get to share our culture and the vision we’re working toward.”
In this episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, Gharib also reveals more about his journey and the lessons that guide him, including:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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