It's the largest non-gaming resort in the continental United States - with 2,881 guest rooms and 600,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and exhibit space - and it's the 17th largest resort in the world. He's the only African American managing a resort of its size. That should be enough to go to someone's head.

But not Arthur Keith. The one thing this senior vice president and general manager of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville is big on is humility. "Thinking outside of the box and learning from mistakes are the best ways to cultivate success. To be successful, you have to have a vision, a desire to be the best you can at something. You also need to be humble. We don't need a bunch of gods running around," he said.

This 44-year-old is also responsible for the operations of the General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Wildhorse Saloon - and a team of 3,800. At Gaylord they are not called employees, they are "STARS." The acronym stands for Smiles, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability, and Service.

Keith's priority is to make sure all of his STARS are happy, fulfilled by their jobs, and motivated. Achievements, no matter how small, are celebrated. "I look for every possible opportunity to celebrate success with my STARS," he said. "My vision is to be the best convention hotel in the world and the only way that is going to happen is if my team is happy."

Reaching Out

"Food with the Dude" is a particularly popular program Keith has implemented. It may be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but 10 STARS get the opportunity to sit down and share a meal with him. "The important part to me is that I get to spend time with them and learn about them as individuals," Keith said. He values each and every employee as a family member.

One employee who had hit hard times reached out to Keith after he lost his apartment and had no place to stay. Keith helped him find temporary housing. "My STARS know my door is always open. We are one big team," he said. Every employee has direct access to Keith as he has personally given each one his cell phone number.

Sports Make Impact

Teamwork, dedication, focus ... these are a few of the skills Keith has acquired from a lifetime spent participating in team sports, particularly baseball, basketball, and football.

"I've always played team sports. I've never excelled at individual sports. Being part of a team is important to me. I've learned the power of setting goals, striving to achieve those goals together, and the joy of celebrating successes," he said.

His ability to lead became apparent in high school when he was chosen to be the captain of both the basketball and football teams. At six feet three inches tall, he must be imposing on a ballfield. But that wide jovial grin puts those around him instantly at ease. Plus, he knows how to have fun. At a recent client event, "Music City Uncovered: 2006 Client Jam Session," featuring every imaginable music genre, Keith donned a pair of sunglasses and adopted a swagger, greeting the group with a rapper's "Yo, Yo, Yo."

Hardly your ordinary rapper, Keith is a graduate of Cornell University's renowned School of Hotel Administration. Early in his career, he wanted to be a comptroller. He got a gig as an accounting intern at The Plaza. "Working at The Plaza is when I really fell in love with hotels. This experience reaffirmed what I wanted to do."

He worked in nearly all phases of the hotel industry, absorbing like a sponge all he could. He took his cues from a few talented executives.

From Good to Great

One mentor who made a huge impression on Keith is John Bruns, former general manager of Chicago's Stouffer Renaissance Hotel. Keith began his career at the Stouffer Renaissance Hotel Company as a management trainee and rose to become assistant general manager of the Stouffer Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, one of the company's largest hotels.

"John was the brightest guy I had ever worked with. He was very analytical. He had me read From Good to Great, Jim Collins' management book, which describes how companies transition from being average to great. We took many principles from this book and rolled them into the hotel. I also surmised from the book that leadership cannot be taught, it can only be learned," explained Keith. "He used to tell me you never have all the answers. If you think you've arrived, you haven't. You have to be ready to listen to and learn from everybody you come in contact with."

The Renaissance opened a new hotel in Nashville in 1995. While he was there for a visit, Bruns gave Keith an assignment.

"John told me to make it a point to visit the Gaylord to watch how they did things. When I walked in, my jaw hit the ground. I said to myself, 'I want to run a place like that one day.'"

Keith got his wish years later when he joined Gaylord in February 2004. He took the job after working at Harrah's as vice president, hotel operations, for the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Keith held similar positions at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino and at the Doubletree Hotel Lincoln Centre in Dallas. He seems to still be pinching himself. "I find it amazing that I am here today," he said.

He is responsible for all phases of the day-to-day operations of Gaylord Opryland, including sales and marketing, guest services, reservations, revenue management, and human resources.

A typical day for him at Gaylord starts anywhere from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. He has morning meetings with his STARS as well as guests. He makes it a point to attend opening night receptions for all the groups that are in-house. "I spend very little time at my desk," he said with a chuckle. "I really enjoy what I do. Each day offers something different. I get to meet so many people from all walks of life, from politicians to celebrities to sports stars."

Keith and his wife Laura have two children, a 16-year-old daughter, Alijandra, and 14-year-old son, Austin.

"Most of my career, I have been one of the few - if not the only - African American at executive team meetings and company conferences. When I graduated college in 1984, I was one of only 10 African Americans in my class," he explained.

What those who work with him soon learn is that it's not his race that differentiates him, but his vision, his approachability, and values. Just ask one of his STARS.

Andrea Doyle is Convene's senior writer. The Leading by Example series is sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission. Visit its Web site at www.CanadaMeetings.com.