Jon Murray
Founder of Noko Hospitality
“Nothing meaningful is built alone. The best outcomes are always the result of a collective effort.„
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
A mentor once told me, "You don’t need to be right. You need to be successful."
When hiring, I look for vulnerability and self-awareness. You can teach skill, but you can’t teach someone to be honest with themselves.
The most important skills for my job are clear communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to both give and receive feedback. Empathy sits underneath all of it.
I gain inspiration by reading and studying other entrepreneurs. Staying a student is important.
Travel and working out helps me prevent burnout. Getting out of your environment helps you reset perspective and provides inspiration.
How I Built This by Guy Raz is my go-to podcast.
I also enjoy reading books like Shoe Dog and Let My People Go Surfing—anything centered around entrepreneurship and leadership.
I keep the team motivated with regular check-ins and leading by example. People pay more attention to what you do than what you say.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to enjoy the valleys. They’re temporary, and they shape you... And quit drinking earlier.
If you're struggling, look inward first. Your environment matters, but so does your mindset and how you talk to yourself.
Don’t make every decision based on dollars. Make decisions based on what’s right. The business will follow.
Clarity on priorities is essential to my job. Time management is really about knowing what matters and not getting distracted by what doesn’t.
Regular one-on-ones, open dialogue, and following through on what people share creates a positive environment for the team. If your team doesn’t feel safe being honest, you’re not actually building a caring environment.
Disclaimer: Individuals featured in the Inspirational Career Timelines section have been nominated by peers, colleagues and/or other members of the hospitality industry. It is to the best of our knowledge that each individual has demonstrated leadership and acted as a positive role model for others.
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