Colin Asare-Apiah on Building Community, Authenticity & Hospitality That Matters
In this episode of the Post Shift Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colin Asara Apiah — a leader, thinker, and hospitality force whose perspective blends lived experience with deep strategic insight. Colin’s reflections go beyond operations and into the heart of what makes hospitality meaningful: identity, belonging, and purpose.
His conversation touches on how leadership isn’t just about managing people — it’s about creating spaces where people can be themselves, be supported, and be elevated.
A Personal Journey Through Hospitality & Identity
Colin’s path into hospitality was shaped not only by jobs and roles but by identity and community. He talked candidly about growing up, finding his voice, and how his own experience of identity informs how he approaches people, teams, and culture.
For Colin, hospitality isn’t just a set of tasks — it’s a relational space, built on trust, listening, and authentic presence. He articulates how his own narrative helped him understand the importance of psychological safety, representation, and intentional inclusion in hospitality environments.
Leadership Through Presence, Not Position
One of the strongest themes from our conversation was the idea that leadership today can’t be defined simply by title. Colin reframes leadership as:
“Presence before position.”
This means showing up fully as yourself — not hiding behind jargon or authority — and creating opportunities for others to do the same. It’s the kind of leadership that says:
“I see you.”
“Your voice matters.”
“Your growth matters.”
This perspective challenges traditional hierarchies of command and control — and invites hospitality leaders to consider who they are as much as what they do.
Culture Is Not a Menu — It’s a Living Force
We talked about culture — not as a buzzword, but as something earned daily through behaviour, values and shared meaning. Colin emphasized that culture isn’t something leaders declare — it’s something they live.
He shared that real culture reveals itself in:
How people talk to each other when the manager isn’t in the room
How mistakes are handled
How newcomers are welcomed
How team members are developed
Culture isn’t a poster on the wall. It’s the rhythm of interaction — it’s felt more than articulated.
Hospitality as Human Practice
Another takeaway from the episode is how hospitality reflects human experience. For Colin, hospitality is inherently relational — it’s a practice of welcome, exchange, and care. This means:
Service isn’t transactional — it’s connective
Teams aren’t resources — they’re people with stories
Guests aren’t customers — they’re participants in an experience
This shifts hospitality away from checklists and toward shared humanity.
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
Colin also spoke about vulnerability — not as weakness, but as a leadership tool. He described how authentic vulnerability builds trust because it signals:
Self-awareness
Honesty about limitations
Openness to learn
Permission for others to do the same
Hospitality leaders often feel pressure to have all the answers, but Colin’s story shows that the real answer sometimes starts with “I don’t know — let’s figure this out together.”
Where We Go From Here
In the closing part of our conversation, Colin shared his vision for what hospitality leadership can become: a space where identity enriches practice, where culture is built with intention, and where community replaces hierarchy.
For operators and leaders navigating complex team dynamics, cultural change, or a shifting landscape, his message is clear:
Lead with care, listen with intention, and shape spaces where people can thrive — not just function.