I believe that you can make a difference
​when you’re supported, inspired and equipped.  

“Sarah knows our industry and people...”

-Julie Cohen, Regional General Manager

Hi!  I’m Sarah Pittson, certified leadership coach, trainer and speaker. 

I’m bringing over 20 years of leadership experience to your fingertips!  

​I started my hospitality career as a Room Attendant and worked my way up through the Front Desk to General Manager and then I was off to IHG corporate as a Brand Service Delivery Consultant where I provided support to over 100 hotels.  

My time on the frontline and as a regional consultant has given me valuable personal experiences with the challenges hotel managers face every day.  It also gave me incredible insights into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to leading teams.  As many of us quickly discover, managing a hotel is much more than being fluent in operations & SOP’s, if you’re going to be successful you must have the ability to work with people and deliver dependable business results. 

"Dealing with people."  This is the most common frustration and challenge I hear from hotel managers.  And our challenge is reflected in the numbers!   Some people don’t want to admit the struggles at the frontline, but I’m not one of them! ​ I’ve seen and experienced these challenges personally.   I know that to find solutions we have to be realistic about our problems.  

When we take a step back we can see that our biggest problems aren’t rooted in operations or even technology.
Take a look at this; ​
  • According to the World Travel & Tourism Council ​we employ 292 million people around the globe
  • Yet, the hospitality industry turnover has climbed to a staggering 72.9% (& rising each year!) 
  • This represents hundreds of thousands of dollars simply thrown away!  
  • ​9 out of 10 General Managers don’t have a proven strategy to cure this problem 
  • Our hotels are operating on tired employee engagement methods leaving us ineffective
  • Our people are experiencing burnout stemming from inadequate training, low pay, excessive workloads, and emotional exhaustion
  • Disengagement is costly!  It damages guest loyalty, brand reputation and your bottom line!
  • ​Our succession plans and talent pools leave much to be desired​
  • Generational needs of our workforce are changing and we are challenged to meet them
  • Every year more money is spent on product while our people are under-valued, underpaid, and perhaps most importantly unfulfilled ​
We can change this narrative!  This doesn’t have to be our story!  

I’m committed to helping YOU get the leadership edge on your competitors so you can work smarter and skyrocket business results!

Together We can do better!  

That’s why I created 


(HLU, because, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be hotel without an acronym!) 

At HLU we’re doing things differently and we’re getting better results.  
HLU is designed with the future of our industry in mind.  
​

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
​-Bill Gates

When you get the environment [CULTURE] right you get trust and cooperation.

THIS is a leader’s responsibility.
​

THIS is WHAT WE STUDY INSIDE HLU!

​WHAT GRADUATES ARE SAYING ABOUT
​FROM MANAGER TO LEADER™...

“You inspire me to release the me I know I am...I know this year of growth has set me on the path to become the person & leader I was born to be- a better and stronger version of me with the drive, focus and ability to achieve my vision.”  -Lesley, GM
“As managers, we all get stuck in that typical “Management Mentality” but to be an effective manager you must first go back to the basics and take a good look at what being a GOOD manager truly entails; for me applying the LEADERSHIP aspect was a huge breakthrough in the way I structure my daily routine with my team as well as my daily personal life.”  -Vanessa, AGM
"She helped me change my manager mentality to a leader mentality.  I left with techniques and ideas to create a better culture for my team, tools that will help me develop leaders, create team unity and establish a clear focus.  Her class made a lasting impact on me and I’m excited to continually implement the new leadership tools she taught us.”  -Justin, AGM
“I am so happy with the results of this leadership training.  It has really helped me be able to channel what I already feel and am passionate about.  Now [this strategy] will be my roadmap to getting the results I want from myself and my team!  I truly believe this training is what we choose to make of it, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and will be a better leader because of it.  THANK YOU!!”  -Natalie, GM

Heart + Soul

When you partner with me a part of your investment goes to helping others.

My very best childhood friend’s young son, Logan was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two.  Children are diagnosed with cancers every single day and Logan’s battle brought this reality crashing into my life and made it personal for me.   It’s an honor to get to support this cause.  



​My husband is a former United States Marine and Airman who suffers from PTSD.  I have seen first hand the wounds of war and the way our Veterans serve our country for the rest of their lives.  Veterans are currently under-served by the systems in our Nation.  When a Veteran suffers so does his entire family.   Most of our deployed heroes face challenges integrating back into civilian life, they have experienced things that change them forever.  When they cannot function they end up on the streets.   Every chance I have I will bring awareness to this cause.  
​
​Thank you for helping me spread this message!