Elias Saad is a renowned name in the hospitality industry, currently leading Royal M Hotel by Gewan as its Hotel Manager. With over two decades of experience, his journey from a waiter to a top-tier leader is a true testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the right mindset.
But how did Elias find his true calling in hospitality? And what made him such an influential leader today?
A Moment That Shaped Elias Saad’s Career
Elias’ journey started in 1999 when he took his first job as a waiter at Hilton. One guest interaction during his early days had a significant impact on his approach to hospitality. A guest arrived visibly frustrated after a long journey, and rather than simply taking the order, Elias made a concerted effort to engage with the guest, offering comfort and empathy. By the end of the meal, the guest personally thanked him, appreciating how Elias’ care turned their day around.
This moment sparked Elias’ passion for guest service. It wasn’t just about serving food; it was about creating an experience and making a lasting impression. This experience became the foundation for his leadership philosophy today—focusing on empathy, empowerment, and excellence. It’s the essence of his approach to leadership at Royal M Hotel by Gewan, where he aims to inspire his team to deliver unforgettable guest experiences every day.
Choosing Hospitality: A Career Built on Passion
For Elias, hospitality wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling. From his very first role as a waiter, he was captivated by the vibrant energy of the industry and the power it had to bring people together. What confirmed his passion, however, was the realization that leadership, empowerment, and exceptional service could transform not just a guest’s experience but also the careers of those working alongside him.
Elias didn’t just want to run a hotel—he wanted to inspire a culture of service excellence. Over the years, he’s spearheaded innovative concepts like ‘Dine in the Dark,’ driven social media excellence in hospitality, and always focused on empowering his team. His current role allows him to blend his love for innovation with his commitment to providing guests with memorable, personalized experiences.
A Defining Achievement in His Career
Elias’ greatest achievement is the empowerment of the next generation of leaders in hospitality. Throughout his career, he has mentored numerous individuals, helping them transform their visions into actionable and impactful leadership styles. Elias believes that leadership in hospitality is more than operational efficiency—it’s about inspiring people, creating culture, and telling a story through service.
For him, it’s about elevating the guest experience and transforming moments into lasting memories. By fostering leadership in others, Elias has contributed to the creation of an industry standard of excellence and empathy in hospitality, ensuring that the power of personal connection remains at the heart of the business.
Overcoming Challenges: Elias’ Early Career Struggles
Like anyone in a fast-paced industry, Elias faced his share of struggles early on. As a waiter, he had to balance the needs of demanding guests with the pressures of a fast-paced environment. But the true challenge came as he transitioned into leadership. Elias had to learn how to balance the larger vision of the hotel with the day-to-day needs of his team. The constant juggling act of maintaining quality service while managing multiple responsibilities was a steep learning curve.
However, Elias’ resilience and passion for growth helped him rise above these challenges. He embraced every obstacle as an opportunity to grow, always staying connected to the core principles of hospitality that made him successful in the first place.
Current Projects: A Vision for the Future
At present, Elias is focused on several key initiatives at Royal M Hotel by Gewan. He is working on refining the hotel’s brand identity and ensuring that its guest experiences reflect the values of excellence, innovation, and sustainability. He’s also collaborating with his team to introduce new culinary concepts that balance creativity with sustainability—an essential part of the evolving hospitality industry.
Elias is also deeply committed to advancing environmental safety practices, ensuring that the hotel’s operations have a positive impact on the local community and the planet. These projects are directly in line with his broader career goals of creating lasting and sustainable experiences for both guests and team members.
The Role of Family and Mentorship in Elias’ Success
For Elias, family and mentorship have been vital sources of inspiration throughout his career. His parents instilled in him the values of hard work and integrity, providing a solid foundation for his leadership style. His wife, his true partner, has offered unparalleled support, always encouraging him to balance ambition with compassion.
The internal strength Elias draws from these relationships helps him stay motivated and focused on his leadership journey. He attributes much of his success to these key influences, which continue to guide him through each phase of his career.
Staying Motivated Through Setbacks
Elias understands that setbacks are part of the journey. His ability to overcome challenges and stay motivated stems from his passion for hospitality and his unwavering belief in the power of positive change. Rather than viewing setbacks as failures, Elias uses them as opportunities to grow, constantly seeking solutions rather than focusing on the problem.
He’s learned to celebrate small wins, as they often lead to bigger successes. This attitude, along with his belief in continuous learning and resilience, keeps Elias moving forward, no matter what challenges arise.
Learning From Failure: A Pivotal Career Moment
One of the most significant lessons Elias learned came after an attempt at entrepreneurship in the hospitality sector. He launched a new strategy to enhance guest satisfaction, but the execution didn’t go as planned. Resistance from the team and unforeseen challenges led to setbacks that forced him to reconsider his approach.
The experience was humbling and taught him an important lesson: leadership requires alignment, team involvement, and an understanding of the culture you’re working within. Elias learned that it’s crucial to communicate and address concerns upfront, especially when implementing significant changes. He stepped back into an employee role to gain new perspectives, which ultimately contributed to his growth as a leader.
The Most Important Lesson: Empowering Others
For Elias, the most important lesson he’s learned throughout his career is that true leadership is rooted in empowerment. His approach to leadership revolves around creating an environment where his team members feel trusted and responsible. By allowing them to take initiative, he believes they unlock their full potential.
This philosophy shapes Elias’ management style, where he focuses on accountability, collaboration, and respect. He knows that when people feel empowered, they are not only more motivated but also more invested in achieving the organization’s goals. For Elias, empowering others is the key to driving long-term success.
Evolving Definition of Success
Elias’ definition of success has evolved significantly over his career. Early on, success was about personal growth, skills development, and recognition. But as he gained experience, he realized that true success lies in the collective achievement of a team. Success, for Elias, is about leading with purpose, fostering a culture of empowerment, and guiding people to reach their fullest potential.
Today, success is no longer defined by individual accomplishments but by the impact Elias has on his team and the lasting contributions he makes to the industry.
Building a Legacy of Innovation and Integrity
Elias Saad is a visionary leader whose transformative approach to hospitality mirrors the values and aspirations of the United Arab Emirates. Driven by an unyielding pursuit of excellence, he envisions reshaping the industry to align with the UAE’s global leadership in innovation, sustainability, and progress. By blending cutting-edge practices with cultural heritage, Elias is redefining hospitality as a dynamic, purpose-driven force that creates meaningful connections and inspires new standards of excellence.
For Elias, leadership is about more than achieving operational success, it is about fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and meaningful change. His passion for mentoring future leaders reflects his deep commitment to cultivating talent and nurturing resilience, compassion, and vision. Through his bold and inclusive approach, Elias seeks to uplift communities, strengthen teams, and contribute to the UAE’s broader narrative of ambition and achievement.
Elias Saad exemplifies the principles of purpose-driven leadership. His philosophy combines integrity, service, and empathy to inspire others to dream bigger and achieve more. By uniting ambition with action, Elias is not only shaping the present but also defining a future where excellence and humanity thrive together, leaving a legacy of transformation and leadership for generations to come. Do follow him on Instagram.
