Hi there,
Thank you for joining the Not Done community!
In just a few days, hundreds of you have decided to join the conversation - and that speaks volumes. It validates something I’ve always believed: we are simply not done. Not done learning. Not done growing. Not done evolving. This community is for the curious, the driven and the open-minded - the ones that know that progress is a lifelong pursuit - one that I proudly chip away at every day. I’m so glad you’re here.
And while it’s easy to talk about growth in theory, the real magic is seeing it play out in real life. Here are some real examples:
Artificial Intelligence
AI is now the present and on its way to transforming entire systems. At the 2025 Skift Data & AI Summit, Marriott unveiled a pilot AI tool that automates the complex process of assigning hotel rooms, accounting for arrivals, loyalty status, guest preferences, and other factors - all instantly. Previously, this was a several-hour task executed manually. Marriott’s example is a prime case of AI not replacing staff - but elevating their impact.
Contrarian Thinking
Great breakthroughs often start where others stop listening. Airbnb’s pivot from listing air mattresses in living spaces to becoming a global brand wasn’t just a business play - it was a design-led rebellion against “acceptable.” In 2024, Airbnb launched the ICONS series - pop-culture, immersive stays like the Barbie Dreamhouse - that reignited cultural relevance and reimagined the staycation. It was a bold bet on storytelling, not just overnight stays.
Leadership
The newly opened 1 Hotel Seattle-part of the eco-conscious 1 Hotels chain-offers far more than comfortable lodging. It invites guests into a sustainable lifestyle experience: Instead of traditional terry-cloth robes, guests receive soft jersey-knit robes with built-in hoodies. Hydration is eco-minded-glasses are recycled from wine bottles, and single-use plastics are eliminated entirely. Amenities are designed for reuse or repurposing, with multi-use packaging. Their “1 Less Thing” initiative encourages guests to leave clothing behind for local shelters. These practical, thoughtful gestures communicate luxury not through flash, but through substance. (Preview: Raul Leal will be joining us in a future episode.)
The next wave of leadership is less about edicts and more about ecosystems. Time recently reported that true transformation is driven not just by technology, but by leaders who move from control to co-creation. Innovation flourishes when leaders shift from being commanders to catalysts - curating trust, enabling networks and anchor in organizational identity in adaptation collaboration.
On Tuesday, August 19, the first episode of my podcast drops and I’m addressing the question everyone’s been asking: Why, after 8 years, I stepped away from my CEO role.
Before it drops, I have a request for you:
Forward this email to someone whom you think I should hear from.
Share this email with a friend, a peer, a family member, a manager or a leader who wants to join the conversation with us.
And if you feel compelled, respond to this email if you have a suggestion for the show. I’m only as good as the people here.
With relentless curiosity,
Sloan Dean
Host, Not Done