Lisa J. Crawford is the founder and CEO of LJC Motivations, an organization that she uses to spread inspirational, comforting, and uplifting messages to millions of people worldwide. Lisa’s history has always been focused on helping people, and she has more than 20 years of experience as a motivational speaker, life coach, non-fiction author, and hospitality consultant. She has served the community in a variety of capacities, being a Chamber Ambassador for over 10 years, Alumni in Leadership Chattanooga Program, which offered an opportunity to mentor elementary students, she also became Volunteer of the year with the Chattanooga Chamber’s Education Initiative. She assisted 300 sophomores with techniques on how to get a job. Lisa also facilitated a program “The Queen’s Court” for high school senior girls. The program helped them to understand their greatness on earth.
She also spent many years serving as an evangelist in the church, a position with a strong commitment to service.
In the end, Lisa’s professional path took her into the hospitality sector, where she began as a concierge and gradually rose through the ranks to take on PBX operator, Spa Assistant, Catering Assistant, Executive Meeting Manager, and Platinum Sales Manager positions. Even more so, she developed a reputation as a Lease-Up Expert with a focus on Luxury, Boutique, Construction, 55+, and Student Apartments. She currently works as a consultant in the hospitality industry for numerous brands.
Lisa established LJC Motivations while working in the hospitality sector, using her extensive knowledge to motivate and raise people.
Elevating Lives and Careers
LJC Motivations is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals by inspiring and assisting them in cultivating profound self-love and dedication. Its main objective is to help people discover their best selves in both their personal and professional life.
LJC Motivations offers the following services:
- Motivational Speaking,
- Soft skills training for the hospitality industry departments
- Master Relationship Building in the Workplace and Home
- Overcoming the Lack of Self Confidence after Workplace and Personal Trauma.
- Hospitality Consulting in Sales, Customer Relationship Building
Lisa has a variety of skills, and LJC Motivations showcases them all, including her work as a motivational speaker, an author, and a hospitality consultant. Currently working alone, Lisa has given presentations stressing good communication, positivism, and respect for staff on subjects including Master Relationship Building in the Workplace and CPR for Leaders. She has furthermore spoken prominently at DisRupt HR Chattanooga.
One of Lisa’s objectives is to interact with college hospitality programs and share knowledge garnered through her first-hand knowledge of the profession, including its highs and lows. She is still devoted to the industry and works to instill a love of hospitality in aspiring professionals.
Lisa is also working on an Ebook titled “Hospitality Begins Within,” highlighting the importance of soft skills in the industry and how they contribute to a nurturing and positive workplace culture. Additionally, she has been a guest on the SpeakIn Podcast for Hospitality during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing her expertise and insights with a broader audience.
Inspiring Resilience
Lisa is expanding LJC Motivations through podcasts and speaking engagements that address challenging subjects while emphasizing the significance of self-love. Her personal journey is a testament to the power of faith, and she believes it’s essential for people to understand that they can overcome any adversity they encounter. While some of the experiences individuals go through may seem unimaginable to others, Lisa aims to share words of hope and inspiration, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming hardship.
Leading by Example
Observation, dedicated study, and hands-on experience are the fundamental keys to personal and professional growth. Lisa’s leadership approach is grounded in genuine care for people, which brings her immense fulfillment as a leader.
When Lisa assumed a managerial role, she made a deliberate effort to visit the housekeeping department and engage with the staff, including those involved in tasks like folding towels and sheets. Her intention was to convey her appreciation for their vital contributions since a hotel cannot function without their support. Lisa had observed leaders who would pass by housekeepers without acknowledging them, which made these employees feel invisible.
On one occasion, Lisa went to a banquet room to assist the staff. She took off her jacket, kicked off her heels, and began clearing a table. An employee from the banquet service hurried over and advised her not to touch the table because it was dirty. Lisa responded by asking the employee if he was willing to handle it, to which he answered affirmatively. This prompted Lisa to say, “If it’s good enough for you to do, it’s good enough for me to do. Let’s work together to clean this room.”
Lisa firmly believes in leading by example, and her actions illustrate her commitment to demonstrating the values and work ethic she expects from her team.
Addressing Workplace Respect
Lisa has observed a consistent issue that deeply concerns her, which is the pervasive lack of respect within the workplace. Throughout her extensive work experience across various locations in the United States, this issue has stood out as a significant source of distress.
What troubles Lisa even more is that this lack of respect often emanates from leaders of departments and upper management. As a Consultant, she may not always be directly impacted by such disrespect, but when she does encounter it, she finds it shocking. Her primary concern is for the employees who have to endure such behavior while working in that environment, whereas she can eventually move on to another assignment.
Lisa has made it her personal mission during every assignment to be a positive influence and a source of difference in the lives of the individuals she encounters. Unfortunately, not all leaders in various properties share this commitment to fostering a culture of respect and human connection in the workplace. Lisa firmly believes that creating a respectful and intentional environment should be a priority in every organization.
Insights on Technology, Hospitality, and Communication
Lisa has observed a concerning trend: the decline in direct phone conversations due to increasing reliance on technology. She believes that technology, while valuable, has eroded real-time human connections. Lisa emphasizes the need for genuine phone or voicemail communication to avoid misinterpretations of written messages. She also underscores the importance of hospitality in personal and professional life, especially in today’s climate marked by unwarranted anger. Lisa urges individuals to be kind and authentic, emphasizing the role of a strong culture in fostering hospitality.
Furthermore, Lisa highlights the need for open dialogues about others’ skills and experiences. She has faced setbacks due to misconceptions, emphasizing the importance of avoiding judgment without meaningful conversations.
Living the Values
Lisa is responsible for aligning her actions and words. She is aware of how crucial it is to live up to the ideals and beliefs she supports. When she walks into a room, she wants to make it clear that LJC Motivations is about more than simply motivational speaking; it’s also about elevating Jesus Christ and encouraging others, even with small acts of kindness like a smile or a listening ear.
The best part of Lisa’s day is when she connects with employees who really like her company. This gives her the chance to engage with them more deeply and demonstrate that she is interested in their opinions and problems. Additionally, she feels great joy in times when she can provide praise or alter someone’s attitude who may be wrong. In the hospitality industry, these opportunities arise frequently, and Lisa values the chance to make a positive impact through her observations and interactions.
Adapting to Post-Covid Realities
In her area of work, Lisa recognizes that she sometimes comes against people who may be unhappy or have high expectations, particularly in the post-Covid period when client demands have shifted. People may have changed their views on when they can travel again as a result of the epidemic since they felt restricted to their houses.
Lisa has also seen that some employees who were let go due to the pandemic looked online for jobs and used technology to the fullest of their abilities. Both executives and staff have changed their mindsets as a result of this awareness. Some people might be unwilling to put in long hours under the pressure of demanding managers, choosing instead to keep their peace and look into online income alternatives instead.
As a result, businesses in the hospitality sector, like many others, are still working to recover and fill empty positions, as the landscape of work and employee expectations has evolved due to technological advancements and changing circumstances.
From Setback to Success
When Lisa got released from a hotel she greatly valued, her professional career saw a big change. It was disappointing that she had trouble getting a job in her hometown despite her strong industry links. She decided to pursue a different career in real estate, especially as a Lease Up Expert, as a result of this setback.
For Lisa, this move concluded off being a key step in her life. She had to say goodbye to her loved ones, close friends, and her home to explore possibilities in many places. She learned from this experience how to thrive on her own, fit in with new surroundings, and excel in sales. In just 10 months, Lisa traveled across five different states, experiencing new systems and learning priceless skills. Finally, this experience prepared her to return to her beloved hospitality industry with new skills and success.
Championing Humanity
Through LJC Motivations, Lisa hopes to support several humanitarian projects. This involves speaking out for those who lack a voice, such as employees who have been mentally abused. Lisa, also has a deep concern for domestic violence, which can leave kids without a parent and put the responsibility of caregiving on grandparents. The group also works to increase public awareness of human, sex, organ, and labor trafficking.
By encouraging self-love and long-lasting mentality changes, Lisa hopes to favorably affect 1 million lives over the course of five years. She uses a variety of methods, putting a focus on thoughtful living while authoring books, making speeches, hosting podcasts, and offering training and volunteering.
Lisa thinks that by supporting people in their personal development and transformation, she is not only significantly improving the lives of those she helps, but also experiencing joy and thankfulness in her own path. The goal of positively impacting such a substantial number of people reflects her dedication to spreading hope, motivation, and self-improvement on a broad scale.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
