A conversation with Maria Stokłosa-Cucciniello – co-owner of City SM Hotel in Kraków, author, active mother – on continuous growth, feminine leadership style and fulfilment in private life. She has just been awarded the title of Leader by vocation.
Were you born a leader or did you become one?
I think I was already born a leader. Even at school, I had always presided a class. I’ve had organisational energy and drive since childhood. It’s in my DNA – inherited from my father, who was capable of inspiring people. I’ve always been active, naturally taking on the role of someone who connects, moderates and inspires. To this day, in addition to managing the hotel, I’m involved in various initiatives – whether it’s three-parent class representative in my children’s school or large events. That’s just how I am – I act, lead and organise.
You went to study in Italy, didn’t you?
I followed my heart. I went to Rome for the love I found in Kraków. This life step turned out to be not only an adventure, but also an important stage in my education. I graduated from Tor Vergata University with a degree of dottoressa di lettere e filosofia. Italy captivated me with its lightness of being, approach to life and the beauty of its architecture. I was taken by joy, ease and openness – although sometimes such lack of organisation could be a challenge. To this day, I’m a fan of Italy, its culture, cuisine and climate. It was there, where I learned it’s worth living life to its fullest, and not just to the rhythm of obligations.
And how did your professional development go?
My professional development was primarily empirical. I started working at a hotel reception while still in secondary school, and also cleaned rooms. This experience taught me that to be a good manager, one needs to know all the levels of how the managed place operates. Later, I gained more skills by learning on the job. A hotel teaches you humility – every day something new happens, you meet different people, and every situation is a lesson. The training courses I completed, such as Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, helped me lead my team even better and cooperate with contractors, but it was practice that gave me the most.
When did you return to Poland and how did you start managing a hotel?
I returned to Poland precisely 20 years ago and started managing the City SM Business & Spa hotel in Kraków simply overnight. It’s a unique facility – surrounded by greenery, with a hundred comfortable rooms, six conference rooms, a spa area and a restaurant serving cuisine mixing tradition with modernity. I’m responsible for the catering, hotel and conference services (HRK), my second sister for the spa and technical supervision, and my third sister – for finance and human resources. My most important task is to moderate the work of the entire team – so that everyone feels they have their place and significance. It’s a huge challenge, because working with diverse personalities is not easy at all. On top of that, there’s decision-making on prices, signing contracts and negotiating agreements.
What trainings and mentoring have you undergone?
I constantly invest in my development. The Maxwell Leadership course I already mentioned before, turned out to be extremely useful because it taught me how to lead people with empathy but also consistency. I also take advantage of various management, communication and mentoring trainings. This definitely makes finding balance between demands and support – both for employees and business partners – easier.
How do you professional life with motherhood?
I mother two teenagers, so today our life is based on partnership and cooperation. When they were little, it was far more difficult, but I always knew priorities were the key. My children were, are and always will be my top priority, thus I adapted everything else to this principle. Organisation is essential – each and every mother knows that there’s no other way.
Do you feel happy?
Yes, I am happy. I joke of having ‘permanent happiness syndrome’. I fulfil myself as a mother, leader, entrepreneur and woman. In addition to work and family, I let myself to pursue my passions – eg. burlesque dance, which develops femininity, sensuality and gives me great joy.
You have also written a book about challenges women face today. Could you reveal any details to WHY Story readers?
I wrote a book titled Sok z Kobiety, which I hope to be released later this year. In the book, I analyse femininity in various dimensions and problems faced by modern women. The story is about four heroines at different stages of life – and I think there’s something for everyone. For men, on the other hand, it’s an opportunity to view the womens’ world ‘from the inside’ – from their perspective. I’m currently working on the second part of the book, because I believe this to be only the beginning of my adventure with writing.
Plans and dreams.
My plans are fairly broad. I’d like the hotel to continuously develop, become more open to new markets and attract more contractors. We have six modern conference rooms to be used for events whether for companies or institutions from all over Poland and abroad. Another huge asset is our Leśne SPA, which I’d love to promote not only locally, but nationwide – as a place of rest, regeneration and contact with nature.
Simultaneously, I plan to grow as a writer and leader. I hope the literary journey I began with Sok z Kobiety, will continue and flourish. As a humanist by education, I know the enormous power of words – they can inspire, encourage and bring people together.
Privately, I only dream of my life to remain exactly as it is now – full of work, passion, people I love and the feeling of being in the right place.
Beata Sekuła
