Why Nicholas Clayton, Capella Asia CEO, puts ‘life priorities’ first
Despite his demanding schedule, the boss of the luxury brand is determined to enjoy a full life focused on health, relationships and career
Nicholas Clayton, CEO of the Capella Hotel Group Asia, has been busy this year. Not only is the hotel group expanding across Asia, its Singapore hotel hosted the high-profile meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The group’s rapid expansion means the creation of a number of priorities, all of which must be managed in real time, Clayton says.
“What has been of the utmost importance is to balance urgent responsibilities with those activities which build long-term, lasting value for the organisation.”
And with great responsibilities comes great devotion to “life priorities”, Clayton says. “When one is so passionate about professional responsibilities, it is easy to justify spending an inordinate amount of time at work. I want to enjoy a full life focused on the following priorities: health, relationships and career.”
Clayton’s attention to detail at work translates into his personal life. When on holiday, he’ll notice a suite’s highlight feature, or a building’s charming history. When he travels with his family, money isn’t as big a factor as the facilities or features that may impress him, making the trip more memorable.
This is the kind of experience the Capella hotels endeavour to provide their guests with. “Our hotels tend to be more intimate in size, and that allows us to focus more on individual experience for the customer,” Clayton says. “If you have 500 bedrooms, and you have 300 people arriving that day, it’s pretty hard to give individualised, personal attention when you have so many transactions to do.”
Time management is a constant challenge in the modern world, he says. The development of meaningful relationships cannot be approached with efficiency in mind; instead, they require patience and your undivided attention.
That undivided attention and time spent with family is always at the forefront for Clayton. With two grown-up daughters at the start of carving their own paths, he and his wife, Liz, have the chance to spend more quality time together.
“Given that we are from the [United] States and live in Asia, we really do enjoy travelling in Europe as a great contrast experience,” Clayton says.
“A perfect day on Italy’s Amalfi coast would include a morning walk into the village for croissants and coffee, then Kundalini yoga practice, followed by a three-hour lunch of grilled fish, vegetables and a beautiful glass of Italian red.
“I embrace the motto of ‘work to live, not live to work’. If we short-change our true priorities along the journey of life, one can never relive the moments lost.”
Original article published on South China Morning Post (Dec 21, 2018)
