Speeches
“What Do You Think?” David Marriott on the Power of Listening and Humble Leadership
On Nov. 14, the Southern Virginia University community gathered for a special Q&A session with David Marriott, chairman of the board of Marriott International. He offered reflections on faith, mission service, family legacy, and a leadership philosophy shaped by service. These lessons, he says, do not form in boardrooms alone, but also instead begin in kitchens, hallways, and quiet conversations.
Marriott opened the discussion by sharing a transformative and defining experience in his life: serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He described how those years shaped both his faith and the way he approaches people—with greater patience, humility, and a desire to lift others.
“My mission really helped shape my life,” he said. “It gave me the foundation I needed from a faith perspective and really began my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It taught me an awful lot about the importance of service and doing things for others.”
Shifting the conversation to focus on the world students are preparing to enter, Marriott framed the moment as one of opportunity. While acknowledging economic pressures such as inflation and ongoing change, he encouraged students to see the current era as one filled with possibility, especially for those willing to stay curious and resilient.
“We’re entering a time of enormous change with AI and technology—maybe even greater than the Industrial Revolution,” he explained. “If you bring creativity, discipline, and hard work to the table, the world is full of possibilities for you right now.”
Drawing from his own childhood and early work experiences, Marriott emphasized the importance of understanding the people you lead by first understanding their work. Before entering management at Marriott, he spent the summers working in the company’s hotels washing dishes, working as a bellman, checking in guests, and helping with housekeeping. Those experiences, he said, shaped his approach to leadership.
“Those jobs taught me to empathize with my colleagues,” he said. “They helped me understand their daily challenges and how to support them, while also appreciating the dignity in every role and the impact it makes when leaders truly understand the work at every level.”
Marriott further illustrated this point with a story when his father met President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During a visit to the Marriott family ranch, rain interrupted a planned hunt. Eisenhower turned to Marriott’s father, a young Navy Supply Corps officer at the time, and asked if they should continue or stay indoors.
“My father believes the four most important words in business are ‘What do you think?’” Marriott said. “That moment left a lasting impression because here was the leader of the free world asking someone else, my dad, for his opinion.”
For Marriott, the story captures the essence of humble leadership: listening. It’s a principle he strives to model in both his personal and professional life and one he hopes the next generation of leaders will carry on.
The forum opened with a performance of “All Creatures of Our God and King” by the Chamber Singers, accompanied by alumna Kamryn Meyer. The event concluded with those in attendance singing “Love One Another.”