In this episode of Most People Don’t…But YOU Do!, Bart Berkey sits down with Horst Schulze, co-founder of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, founder of Capella Hotel Group, and author of Excellence Wins. Widely recognized as one of the most influential leaders in modern hospitality, Schulze shares stories from his 65-year career, beginning as a teenage server’s assistant in Germany to reshaping the global standard of service. He offers profound lessons on leadership, technology, customer experience, marriage, vision, and living with high intent.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Define Yourself Through Excellence: Schulze learned early on that you don’t wait for others to define your worth—you decide to act as a person of excellence in every situation.

• Hospitality Is Human: Technology can support service, but it must never replace the respect, honor, and connection guests crave.
• Good for All Concerned: True leadership decisions must benefit customers, employees, investors, and the organization as a whole. Compromise here is both ineffective and morally wrong.
• Vision and Intent Drive Success: Excellence is never an accident—it comes from high intent, deliberate action, and constant self-management.
• Balance Through Deliberate Choices: His long marriage and family life thrived because he approached them with the same high intent as his career, asking “How can I serve you now?”
• Resilience and Renewal: Personal hardships—including a cancer scare—strengthened his resolve to contribute, learn, and guide others for decades to come.

Memorable Quotes

• “You define yourself as a person of excellence.”
• “Human beings will always want to be respected.”
• “Every decision must be good for all concerned—the customer, the employee, the investor.”
• “Excellence is never an accident. It is always high intent.”
• “Don’t just go to work to work—go to work for excellence.”
• “Have a beautiful dream, not an easy dream.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

Schulze’s wisdom extends far beyond hospitality. Leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals in any field can apply his principles: set a vision, act with excellence, honor human dignity, and align decisions with the good of all stakeholders. His approach to work, family, and purpose reminds us that success is not about shortcuts—it’s about relentless intent, self-management, and service.

Resources and Links:

Bart Berkey: MostPeopleDont.com | LinkedIn

This podcast episode is brought to you by Wishes.Inc 

Wishes, Inc. is a transparent giving platform that lets donors see exactly where their money goes.

It rewards users with cashback and perks through virtual payment tools.

Fast, traceable, and efficient—Wishes makes doing good feel even better.

https://www.bartaberkey.com/wishes-inc-landing-page