Leadership series: Moritz Klein

Our Leadership Series tells the stories of inspiring leaders making an impact across the industry.

In this interview, we are talking to Moritz Klein, Head of Operations EU & UK  at TFE Hotels Europe - A by Adina, Adina Hotels

What motivates you in your work and what do you find most fulfilling about being a business leader?

What motivates me most is achieving meaningful results and, just as importantly, how those results are achieved. I enjoy setting clear goals and working consistently toward them, but the real fulfilment comes from doing that with a strong, trusted team. Seeing people contribute their strengths, collaborate openly, and make progress together is what drives me day to day.

I’m also motivated by the creative side of leadership, finding better ways to solve problems, improve processes, and approach challenges from new angles. At the same time, I value structure. Creating clear frameworks and direction helps people work with confidence and focus, and it’s rewarding to see that balance of structure and creativity lead to sustainable, strong outcomes.

If you could influence one thing about the future of hospitality, what would it be, and why?

If I could influence one thing, it would be the simplification of regulations. Regulation is necessary, but too often it becomes overly complex, inconsistent, or disconnected from the realities of running hospitality businesses day to day.

Rules should be practical, clear, and regularly reviewed so they evolve alongside how people work, how businesses operate, and how guest expectations change. Hospitality is a fast moving, people driven industry, and outdated or unclear regulations can unintentionally slow innovation and pull focus away from what matters most: guests and teams.

Simpler, well designed regulation would allow operators to invest more time and energy into service quality, people development, and long term sustainability, while still meeting essential safety, quality, and compliance standards.

What are your biggest career achievements?

One of my greatest achievements has been developing people into strong, confident leaders. Supporting individuals as they grow in capability, responsibility, and self-confidence is incredibly rewarding.

I take pride in creating environments where people feel trusted, challenged, and supported to step up. Through mentoring, honest feedback, and giving people space to make decisions, I’ve seen many colleagues progress into leadership roles and succeed. Knowing I’ve played a part in that journey is something I consider a lasting and meaningful achievement.

How do you prioritize tasks when everything feels like a priority?

When everything feels urgent, I deliberately step back and refocus on what truly moves the business forward versus what is simply noise. That perspective helps me concentrate on the few priorities that will have the greatest impact, both short and long term.

At the same time, I place a strong emphasis on building depth within the team. Developing people, creating a “bench” who can take ownership and step in when needed ensures priorities are shared rather than stacked, and that progress continues even during high pressure periods.

How has your leadership philosophy evolved over the past few years?

I’ve always been people focused, but in recent years that approach has become more intentional. Clear, open communication has become central to how I lead. In times of constant change, people need transparency, context, and honest dialogue. Taking the time to listen, explain decisions, and share the “why” has been critical in maintaining trust and alignment.

I’ve also learned how important recognition is. Acknowledging effort, resilience, and progress, especially during challenging times, has a powerful impact on motivation and engagement. 

Today, my leadership philosophy is grounded in consistent communication, genuine support, and making sure people feel valued and heard.

What values or behaviours are essential for leadership teams today?

Flexibility is essential. Leaders need to adapt quickly, stay open minded, and be comfortable adjusting direction as circumstances change.

Empathy is equally important. Understanding different perspectives and genuinely caring about people’s wellbeing builds trust and stronger teams. Leaders who lead with empathy create environments where people feel safe, engaged, and motivated.

Finally, digital understanding is no longer optional. Leaders don’t need to be technical experts, but they do need enough digital literacy to make informed decisions and drive efficiency in a modern business environment.

What innovations excite you most right now?

AI is particularly exciting for the impact it can have across businesses. Used thoughtfully, it has the potential to improve decision making, streamline operations, and remove repetitive tasks that distract teams from higher value work.

What matters most to me is that technology enhances rather than replaces the human side of leadership, freeing up time for strategic thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement with teams and guests.

How are you embedding sustainability into your business?

We approach sustainability as a long term commitment, not a one off initiative. We’ve appointed a dedicated owner for sustainability to ensure accountability and consistent progress across daily operations.

We also use sustainability software, Klappier, to track and measure performance in a structured and transparent way. This allows us to make informed decisions and continuously improve rather than relying on assumptions.

Equally important is education—both internally and with guests. By building awareness and encouraging small, practical actions, we’re creating a culture where sustainability is understood, supported, and embedded in how we operate.

What was the most pivotal moment in your career?

One of the most pivotal moments came very early in my career, just a few weeks after I started. I was strongly influenced by my General Manager at the time and the way he led the team.

His ability to communicate clearly, support people, and set high standards while earning genuine respect left a lasting impression on me. It shaped a clear personal goal early on: to become the kind of leader who inspires others in the same way. That experience continues to influence how I lead today: through consistency, integrity, and leading by example.