Beginning Again: General Manager Shares Hospitality Journey and Career Advice

Meet Paolo, General Manager for the  Hilton Rome Airport,  Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport, and  Hilton Rome Eur La Lama.

When Paolo was offered the opportunity to return to Team Hilton in 2014, he could not wait to begin again. Below, he shares his hospitality journey, what he has learned as a leader, and what excites him most about working at Hilton.

Get to Know Paolo

“I joined Hilton in 1987 at what is now the  Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri , but my hospitality calling began when I was a child. My great-grandfather owned two hotels in Southern Italy, and my grandmother lived in one of the two properties. Some of my earliest memories are of visiting her in the hotel rooms she stayed in.

By chance, my father also worked in a hotel as the Human Resources Director. When I was eight years old, I would go with him to work on Saturdays and find myself enchanted by these Directors who looked as if they were walking on air. I wanted to become one of them. Now, I am the Cluster General Manager for the Hilton Rome Airport, the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport, and the newly opened Hilton Rome Eur La Lama.”

What drove your decision to return to Team Hilton?

“The flavour, passion, people and feeling of being part of the Hilton family have always been deep-rooted in me. When working at other hotels, I often found myself saying, “Yes, but at Hilton, we do like this.” This sentiment, and the prestige of returning as a General Manager, brought me back to Hilton most recently.”

What has been the most significant learning in your career so far?

“I have learned many things, including how to work in a team, manage others, and be managed by others. However, I realized that you must have passion for what you do. It is different from learning the techniques of a job. That takes time. Passion takes nothing.”

As a leader, how do you inspire your team?

“Everybody thinks that leading by example is the only way, or the best way, to be a leader. To inspire a team, you must also be competent, passionate, able to teach and patient – each person has their own time. You may not succeed every time, but every success is worth celebrating.” 

What's the best advice you have ever received?

“Work each day as if it was the last one. Keep up the enthusiasm and eagerness to learn and you will succeed!”