In this deeply human and heartfelt episode, Bart Berkey sits down with the legendary Edward Mady — author of Honing the Human Edge, former GM of The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air, and a true icon in luxury hospitality. From his humble beginnings in a family diner to leading 128 award-winning teams, Edward shares the powerful principle that shaped his leadership: crack the code of others’ hidden strengths and help them grow. With stories of grit, empathy, and purpose, this conversation is a masterclass in humanistic leadership and emotional intelligence.
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Major Takeaways / Learnings:
- “Cracking the Code”: Great leaders uncover strengths people don’t yet see in themselves.The Power of a
- Name: Using someone’s name validates their identity and worth — whether they’re an employee or a stranger on the street.
- Growth + Value: Every individual deserves a path to grow and add value. That’s the true headline of leadership.
- Onboarding = Culture: Integration isn’t training — it’s energizing people to join your culture with purpose and pride.
- Desire → Momentum → Movement: Leadership isn't about tasks; it’s about sparking desire that fuels momentum and creates collective impact.
- Lead Through Crisis by Showing Up: Sit in the fire with your team. Presence over perfection.
- Fire With Humanity: Even when letting someone go, leaders can do so with compassion, support, and continued belief in their potential.
- Work Can Be Joy: True leaders find joy in their work because it’s purpose-driven and people-centered.
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Memorable Quotes:
- “The most important thing you’ll ever own is your name.”
- “Cracking the code of someone’s hidden strength — that’s what great leadership is.”
- “Desire is when you make a contract with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.”
- “What can I do? How can I help? Who can I call?”
- “You never know what it’s like to work for Edward Mady… until you don’t.”
- “Leadership means sitting in the fire with your team and saying, ‘We’ll figure this out together.’”
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Why It Matters / How to Use It:
This episode is a playbook for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy, resilience, and impact — whether in hospitality, business, or life. Edward reminds us that it’s not enough to manage people — we must see them, support them, and help them discover their own edge. Apply this by:
- Calling people by name.
- Asking what lights them up.
- Creating safe space to grow, even through failure.
- Leading not just with policies, but with presence.
This is not just leadership — this is legacy.
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