What a moment of reflection taught me about compassion, fairness, and long-term value.

When I sat down to plan this week's article, my intention was to continue discussing restaurant revenue strategies during times of economic uncertainty. However, with the passing of Pope Francis, I found myself reflecting on something broader: the lasting impact of humility, kindness, and helping those in need.

Pope Francis demonstrated throughout his life that true leadership isn't about short-term wins. It's about serving others, especially the most vulnerable, and building trust through consistent compassion. In business, we often talk about creating value and earning loyalty, but these ideas are rooted in the same principles. Short-term gains can be tempting, but long-term success almost always depends on relationships built on trust, fairness, and care.

This also reminded me of a quote I saw every day during my 29 years teaching at Cornell’s Hotel School. E.M. Statler, the school’s namesake, famously said: “Life is service – the one who progresses is the one who gives his fellow men a little more – a little better service.”It’s a simple but powerful idea—and one that our students and alumni still carry with them in their work and lives.

This applies across the board—whether it's providing customers with fair pricing, offering support to employees during tough times, or investing in initiatives that don't deliver immediate financial returns but build a stronger, more resilient organization over time.

I was moved by something my friend Rohit Verma posted about Pope Francis. "Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is … life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you."

Helping those in need doesn't have to be dramatic. It could mean offering flexible scheduling to an employee facing personal challenges. It could mean maintaining quality and hospitality even when margins are tight. It could mean simply making decisions with a sense of fairness, even when no one is watching.

Pope Francis showed us that leadership, at its core, is about service and compassion. It's a lesson worth remembering not just in life, but in business too.

Sherri Kimes - LinkedIn
Revenue Management Expert