Sonali Chauhan, General Manager, The Connaught, IHCL SeleQtions
As an alumna of one of India’s most reputed colleges, National Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Sonali Chauhan’s career spans 21 years with an experience across international and domestic hotel brands. She has worked on opening hotels such as Hyatt Regency Kolkata, Taj Santacruz and now The Connaught, IHCL SeleQtions. She recently attended the Executive Programe in Strategy and Organisation at the Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
Key Milestones
I was selected for the coveted Corporate Leadership Trainee Programme with Hyatt International in 2001. After a 14-year stint with Hyatt, I joined Indian Hotels Company Limited to launch the company’s third luxury hotel in Mumbai, Taj Santacruz, Mumbai. I am presently the General Manager at The Connaught, IHCL Selections – New Delhi, the first boutique property for the company. The hotel has been recently awarded as the Best Boutique hotel by Safari India and I have also received an award for The Best General Manager – North India by CMO Asia.
Overcoming Challenges
Challenges are a natural course of progression; however, overcoming them and being resilient pays off in the end. Leveraging upon our training resources and enabling our teams to grow by equipping them with the relevant skill and knowledge has led to higher engagement and retention levels especially since we have a young work force and focus on diversity and inclusion. The challenge to open a new hotel, a new brand for the company amid a pandemic in November 2020 was unheard of. A supportive and empathetic team helped us all open the hotel successfully and become profitable in the fourth month of operation. The second wave in April 2021 was another challenge we faced; however, we sailed through it and kept profitability afloat by housing medical team and assisting the medical neighbourhood.
Advice to Women
Working in the hotel industry can be rewarding yet demanding for women. Some advice includes embracing opportunities, building a strong support network, developing leadership skills, prioritizing work-life balance, advocating for oneself, seeking continuous learning, promoting diversity and inclusion, handling challenges with resilience, building a personal brand, perseverance where continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties, and being authentic and confident is much required.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
It’s simpler said than done; however, maintaining a work-life balance involves prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries, and utilizing support systems. Delegation of tasks helps along with open communication with colleagues and marking timelines. I personally feel that playing a sport and making time for self-care activities helps an individual to destress and be mindful of their environment.
