Edinburgh Napier University

  The relationship between leaders and followers plays a major role in shaping organizational cultures. There is an established literature within many disciplines showing evidence of how leaders seek to influence their followers. This article extends this legacy by presenting a detailed investigation of two hospitality leaders in order to provide insights into the formation of leaders in Greater China. A biographical comparison is conducted to analyze leadership traits in the hospitality industry context of an Asian leader, Mr Stephen Ho (President for Greater China of Hyatt Global Operation) and a non-Asian (European) leader, Mr Ricco de Blank (CEO of Sun Hung Kai Properties Hotel Section). Information about each of the two leaders is assembled, analyzed, and then compared with reference to their respective backgrounds, characteristics and families as these have impacted on their leadership styles. The findings show the continuing influence of Confucian values within Asia and that leadership styles and behaviors can also be shaped by a Western cultural background. The two subjects have exercised charisma in leading their respective companies to success. The article concludes by noting practical implications, limitations, and opportunities for further research.