Highlights

• Gumption, which means spirited initiative and resourcefulness, has been the red thread throughout Dina's career and personal life.

• Listening to feedback, reflecting, and adapting are essential for personal and professional growth.

• Self-acceptance and the willingness to evolve are key to becoming a better leader.

• Empathy, humanity, and emotional intelligence are crucial leadership skills for connecting with and empowering others.

• Success as a leader involves lifting and growing the entire team, not just oneself.

In this episode of the Travel Leader Podcast, Rachel Vandenberg interviews Dina Niekamp, Associate Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Branding at Miraval Resorts. They explore key themes in leadership, including the importance of "gumption" as a driving force in Dina's career, the significance of self-acceptance and non-judgment in personal and professional growth, and the evolving nature of leadership that embraces empathy and vulnerability. Dina shares her strategic approach to leadership, emphasizing the need for collaboration across departments and the value of including team members in the decision-making process to achieve shared goals. The conversation also highlights the balance between personal and professional life, the power of feedback, and the importance of lifting others as you grow.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Branding

09:54 Integrated Sales and Marketing Campaigns

17:22 Personal Life and Leadership

20:44 Being a Lefty and Personal Attributes

29:06 Empathy and Humanity in Leadership

36:03 Underestimating and Overestimating Oneself

41:58 Lifting and Growing the Team

44:25 Vision for Success

46:07 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

___________________________________________________ The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.