Monica Yant Kinney: Sidestepping to move up

By Monica Yant Kinney

Inquirer Columnist

I don't know about you, but I need a break from workplace malaise, grim jobs reports, bankruptcies, and buyouts. So today I offer a charming bit of counterprogramming. Consider it a reminder that even in economic Armageddon, some people do get where they want - especially if they're willing to take a detour along the way.

Elizabeth Knox majored in sociology and women's studies at the University of Delaware, but found her calling in hospitality - of all things - while earning grad-school tuition money at the Hotel du Pont.

On a lark in 1997, she answered a headhunter's call and landed an even sweeter position as director of room service at Philadelphia's acclaimed Four Seasons Hotel.

"I was happy," Knox recalls, "but I missed the guest interaction."

Knox longed to work in the fast-paced, people-oriented, sales-driven world of hotel catering, but had no relevant experience. Sheepishly, she admits, "I couldn't even type."

Some employers might put the kibosh on upstarts openly eyeing greener pastures, but the Four Seasons routinely wins awards for being a swell company to work for and is known for training and retraining its stellar staff. Instead of squelching Knox's ambition, her bosses challenged her to consider backtracking in order to move up.

"Our culture is to promote from within," explains Judith Dumrauf, the hotel chain's regional marketing director. Often, staffers like Knox just need to take "a little sidestep."

By sidestep, she means demotion. And nothing about it was little.

A costly gamble

And so it was that a 29-year-old manager became another manager's administrative assistant - the corporate equivalent of a lord turning into a serf overnight.

"I thought it was a great opportunity," recalls the exceedingly polite woman of a few well-chosen words. "I felt I was doing the right thing."

In her old job, Knox had authority. In her new one, she answered other people's phones.

In the paperwork-laden position, Knox had to learn to type with all 10 fingers instead of just two.

"So I checked a book out of the library," the now-41-year-old says matter-of-factly. "I practiced at home at night for a month."

Most humbling? Voluntarily taking a 35 percent pay cut at the precise moment in her career when others seek and receive raises.

Friends might have scoffed, but her work family took note of Knox's willingness to sacrifice.

"They respected that I had a plan and wanted to execute it," she says over coffee at the Fountain, the luxe hotel's five-star restaurant.

Between sips, Knox cautions others not to equate praise with promises. Getting her dream job, she assures, "was never a given."

A long and winding road

In due time, Knox earned the right to plan board meetings, bridal showers, and anniversary parties. She worked as a catering manager for six years before being named the department's assistant director.

Last year, when her boss changed jobs, Knox was elevated again, but only to acting director.

A more anxious sort might have balked at having to undergo such a public tryout, but Knox took it on with such gusto that she won recognition as the hotel chain's best catering manager in North America.

Her prize? A week's paid vacation at any Four Seasons. The Knoxes, who have two boys who love to swim, chose Costa Rica.

In January, hotel management finally anointed Knox, taking acting out of her title.

"We all know Elizabeth's dedication to sales and servicing her clients," read Dumrauf's promotion announcement, which duly noted the zigzag Knox had made.

Back on top, Knox finds herself in the unique position of supervising a woman who used to be her boss.

Gee, I ask, isn't that a tad awkward? Knox shakes her head to suggest that all paths and eventualities are accepted at the Four Seasons.

"She loves her job," explains Knox. "So do I."

Reach me at myant@phillynews.com or 215-854-4670. Visit my Web page and connect on Facebook and Twitter at philly.com/kinney.