About

Our iceberg philosophy

In high-end hospitality specifically, what is visible on the surface is only a fraction of the truth. A resume can list titles, Michelin stars, languages, and managed budgets. It can show the surface—the 10% of the iceberg that sits above the water. But at CourtesyMasters, we know that the remaining 90% below the waterline is what actually defines a remarkable leader.
Why true hospitality cannot be found on a Curriculum Vitae. In high-end hospitality specifically,, what is visible on the surface is only a fraction of the truth. A resume can list titles, Michelin stars, languages, and managed budgets. It can show the surface, the 10% of the iceberg that sits above the water. But at CourtesyMasters, we know that the remaining 90% below the waterline is what actually defines a remarkable leader. It is where character, emotional intelligence, and true hospitality reside. Our Iceberg Philosophy guides how we work, how we listen, and how we connect people, not just profiles.

Above the surface, the 10%

What is seen.
The visible peak of the iceberg represents the hard, quantifiable metrics. While essential, these are merely the baseline requirements for any high-level position.

  • The CV & Hard Skills: Experience, education, and career milestones.
  • The Track Record: Properties managed, revenue generated, and operational scale.
  • The Technical Expertise: Systems proficiency, culinary certifications, and organizational management.
Anyone with an internet connection can find the top 10%. But luxury hospitality is not built on baselines; it is built on what lies beneath.

Below the surface, the 90%

What matters most.
The true strength of a hospitality professional lies deep below the waterline. This is where we focus our search, utilizing our signature Fingerspitzengefühl to uncover the qualities that cannot be automated or summarized in bullet points.

  • Cultural Alignment & Values: Does their personal "why" match the soul and heritage of your brand?
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The ability to lead with empathy, read a room instantly, and remain composed under pressure.
  • Discretion & Integrity: The quiet professionalism required when serving Royals, UHNWIs, family offices, and world-class luxury brands.
  • The Unwritten Traits: Adaptability, genuine warmth, and a natural instinct to serve.
  1. We speak the language of depth
    Because our founders and consultants were born in hospitality, we don't just screen candidates—we have peer-to-peer conversations. We ask the questions that reveal how a candidate thinks, feels, and navigates complex human environments.
  2. Protecting what lies below
    For both clients and candidates, the "below-the-surface" details require absolute safety. We operate with discretion as our default. We protect your reputation, your current position, and your strategic growth by keeping our conversations quiet, highly confidential, and deeply personal.
  3. Long-Term Equilibrium
    An iceberg only floats gracefully when its underwater mass perfectly balances its peak. We ensure that a candidate's deep-rooted values (the 90%) perfectly balance the operational expectations of the role (the 10%). This is why our placements don't just fill gaps—they build legacies.

Let us find what lies beneath

Whether you are looking to secure a transformative leader for your brand, or you are a professional ready to make a discreet, meaningful career transition, we invite you to look deeper with us.

Let us assist you move forward with clarity, confidence, and the right opportunity.

Larissa Zwart &
Team CourtesyMasters

Maak kennis met CourtesyMasters

Verhaal & Historie
Van Rotterdam naar de wereld. Ontdek hoe CourtesyMasters uitgroeide tot een internationaal hospitality recruitmentbureau, gebouwd op vertrouwen en uitmuntendheid.
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Visie & Missie
Wij verbinden mensen, geen profielen. Ontdek de waarden, visie en missie die CourtesyMasters al sinds 1999 sturen.
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Raison d'être
Waarom doen we wat we doen? Lees meer over de drijfveren achter CourtesyMasters — waar mensgerichte hospitality recruitment en blijvende impact samenkomen.
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Concierge
Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen
Ethiek, DEI, duurzaamheid en maatschappelijke impact. Ontdek hoe CourtesyMasters een doelgerichte aanpak centraal stelt in hospitality recruitment.
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We zien mensen, geen profielen.

Achter elke vacature of cv staat een persoon. We leggen op menselijk niveau contact met kandidaten, klanten en partners.

Discretie is onze standaard.

We behandelen elke loopbaanstap en aanwerving met de grootste vertrouwelijkheid. Vertrouwd door zowel leiders als werkgevers over de hele wereld.

Gedreven door uitmuntendheid.

We geven het goede voorbeeld en met integriteit, inzicht in de sector en streven naar blijvende resultaten voor mensen en organisaties.

Independent.

We lead by example and with integrity, industry insight, and a commitment to lasting results for people and organizations.

Inspirational

We lead by example and with integrity, industry insight, and a commitment to lasting results for people and organizations.

Excellence

We lead by example and with integrity, industry insight, and a commitment to lasting results for people and organizations.

Effective

We lead by example and with integrity, industry insight, and a commitment to lasting results for people and organizations.

Vertrouwd door

Hospitality professional presenting wine - CourtesyMasters

Wat anderen zeggen

CourtesyMasters is de wereldleider op het gebied van executive search in de horeca, bekend om zijn inclusiviteit en ongeëvenaarde discretie. We verbinden toptalent met eersteklas kansen over de hele wereld en bieden een naadloze en vertrouwelijke ervaring die is afgestemd op elke loopbaanfase.
Beoordeeld met een
9,7
Integriteit, eerlijkheid en altijd op zoek naar de perfecte match. Vertrouwen in de kandidaten en altijd open voor een goed gesprek.
General Manager, Hotel Chain, The Netherlands
Omdat we een prachtig restaurant met een Michelin-ster hebben, staat ook ons personeelsbeheer centraal. Met CourtesyMasters hebben we een partner gevonden die altijd onze zakenpartner is, omdat we samen talent ontwikkelen en beheren. Persoonlijk en zakelijk.
Executive Chef, Restaurant (Michelin*)
Het is vrij eenvoudig en complex tegelijk. CourtesyMasters levert. Directe communicatie. Promise=belofte. Op lange termijn.
Director of Human Resources, Hotel Group