Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel has become one of the first hotels in Nepal to adopt a data-driven approach to leadership development, replacing conventional training methods with measurable leadership assessments and personalized coaching. In partnership with Impact Yes, the hotel recently completed its first GALA (Gap Analysis for Leadership Alignment) leadership program, aimed at strengthening managerial capabilities through individual behavioral analysis and customized development plans.
The three-day leadership program, held from July 29 to 31, involved 22 employees, including nine department heads, who underwent leadership assessments designed to evaluate their individual leadership styles, decision-making approaches, communication patterns, and management behaviors. Department heads completed the GALA Executive Assessment, while other participants undertook the Mini-GALA Vector9 Assessment. Based on the results, every participant received a personalized diagnostic report and an individual action plan outlining areas for improvement and professional growth.
Moving Beyond Traditional Leadership Training
Unlike conventional leadership workshops that often rely on standardized training modules and motivational sessions, the GALA program focuses on measurable leadership behaviors and practical development strategies tailored to each participant.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Ramada Encore Kathmandu and Impact Yes, which began in April 2025 to develop a leadership model better suited to Nepal’s hospitality industry. Rather than adopting generic international training curricula, the program conducted by Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel emphasizes understanding the local workplace culture, organizational dynamics, and individual leadership characteristics.
Before the training, discussions with hotel employees revealed that many traditional e-learning programs failed to address Nepal’s unique business environment. Participants highlighted the importance of receiving face-to-face coaching from trainers familiar with the country’s hospitality culture and workplace realities.
Leadership Tailored to Nepal’s Hospitality Industry
Officials involved in the program said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between international best practices and Nepal’s tourism and hospitality sector. Employees who had previously attended leadership training abroad noted that leadership philosophies vary significantly across regions. While European programs often prioritize psychological safety, collaboration, and open communication, other approaches tend to focus more heavily on hierarchy and compliance. The GALA framework seeks to combine internationally recognized leadership principles with local organizational culture, ensuring that leadership development is both practical and relevant to Nepal’s hotel industry.
Hotel Leadership Plays Key Role in Tourism Competitiveness
With Nepal’s tourism industry becoming increasingly competitive, industry experts believe that effective leadership has become essential for improving guest satisfaction, service quality, employee engagement, and overall business performance. According to Mahesh Phuyal, General Manager of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel, the training stood out because of its highly interactive nature.
He said every participant actively contributed throughout the program, creating opportunities for shared learning and practical discussions. He added that when leadership principles are clearly understood across an organization, they help create a stronger foundation for long-term growth, making the investment in leadership development worthwhile.
Leadership Can Be Measured, Say Developers
The developers of the GALA program believe leadership should no longer be viewed solely as a personal quality but as a measurable set of behaviors that can be analyzed, developed, and improved.
Kovid Panthy, Co-Founder of Impact Yes, said many traditional leadership programs focus primarily on motivation rather than measurable development. He explained that the GALA and Vector9 frameworks were designed to provide leaders with quantifiable insights into their leadership behaviors, enabling them to identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.
Meanwhile, Kim Baaden, Co-Founder of Impact Yes, noted that although Ramada Encore Kathmandu was initially cautious about adopting an unfamiliar approach, the successful completion of the program demonstrated the value of personalized leadership development. He said the program does not seek to change an organization’s culture but instead fine-tunes existing systems by creating leadership strategies tailored to each hotel’s unique environment.
Participants Welcome Personalized Development Approach
Participants also expressed positive feedback about the assessment-based model. Nikhil Mukhia, Duty Manager at Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel, said the assessment gave him a much clearer understanding of his leadership strengths and weaknesses than previous training programs. He described the personalized report as providing a practical roadmap for continuous professional development.
Program to Expand Across the Hotel
Following the successful completion of the initial program, Ramada Encore Kathmandu plans to extend the GALA leadership assessment to additional employees who were not included in the first phase. The hotel also intends to conduct regular coaching sessions and follow-up reviews to monitor individual progress and ensure leadership development remains an ongoing process rather than a one-time training event. Hospitality professionals believe the initiative could serve as a model for other four-star, five-star, and boutique hotels seeking to strengthen leadership capacity while adapting international management practices to Nepal’s tourism sector.
About Ramada Encore Kathmandu
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel is a four-star hotel located in the heart of Kathmandu. The hotel offers modern accommodation, multiple dining outlets including Pateo Restaurant, El Beso Caro Rooftop Bar, and Chocos N Subs Café, along with wellness and business facilities such as a rooftop plunge pool, spa, fitness center, and conference and event spaces. It is part of the globally recognized Wyndham Hotels & Resorts brand.
About Impact Yes
Impact Yes is an international leadership development company headquartered in Delaware, United States, specializing in behavioral assessment and leadership development through frameworks such as GALA, Vector9, and Pactomics. The organization works with clients across multiple countries to develop customized leadership solutions.
