Yes Is the Answer: How Positivity, Passion, and Pineapples Will Transform Your Leadership and Your Life

I read this book as a course requirement for one of my hospitality classes and I am so glad that I did! Never in my life do I think I have read a book so fast. Christine Trippi offers great advice and provides her own personal success stories and gives scenarios on how others can apply them. One aspect I really enjoyed about this book is that it takes you through a step-by-step process of how to handle given situations in the hospitality work environment. One snippet of advice Trippi gives is that “A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language” (55). This quote is in reference to addressing people by their names in customer service so that they feel respected and appreciated. Something else about this book that I found interesting is that a positive mindset actually has many other benefits than customer satisfaction. Thinking optimistically can improve work productivity and reduce the risk of health complications. This is so cool to me because positive thinking is completely in our control. As Trippi states “Everyday we decide how our day goes – positive life or negative life — the choice is yours!” (101).

Reading YES is the ANSWER has been a transformative experience, especially the lessons on “Standing Tall” and “Leading from the Heart.” Standing tall has taught me to embrace confidence in my abilities, even during challenging situations, knowing that true leadership begins with self-belief. Leading from the heart, on the other hand, has shown me the importance of empathy and kindness in creating positive environments for both guests and colleagues. Together, these lessons have shaped my perspective on leadership, reminding me that success in hospitality isn't just about skills, but also about making others feel valued and empowered. YES is the ANSWER is a must-read for anyone considering a career in hospitality or customer service. Christine Trippi delivers valuable life lessons that are both practical and empowering. I particularly appreciated the concepts of “Standing Tall” and “Leading from the Heart.” These ideas have reshaped how I view leadership and customer interaction. As I move forward in my career, I will continue to use these tools to create positive, memorable experiences for those I work with.

I now have a better understanding of what it means to be a self-assured and compassionate leader in the hospitality industry, thanks to YES Is the Answer. More than anything else, the "Wise Pineapple" philosophy—particularly Standing Tall and Leading from the Heart—helped me comprehend how empathy and self-assurance form service. The emphasis on providing innovative solutions rather than saying no also appealed to me. Christine Trippi's wisdom is useful, inspiring, and simple to implement immediately. A really inspiring book!

I am a student studying hospitality and read this book for a class. Christine Trippi does an excellent job emphasizing the importance of being a “wise pineapple” in the service industry. Rather than merely providing tips and tricks for delivering exceptional customer service, the book delivers a complete mindset shift. Having a positive mindset can make or break a hospitality company. Before reading this book, I wasn’t aware that the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality. I love this and I will carry this concept of being a “wise pineapple” with me throughout my career. Christine encourages everyone to “stand tall, wear crowns, and be sweet.” These principles have reshaped my approach to challenges and opportunities within the industry. Difficult situations are inevitable but approaching them with confidence and empathy will determine the outcome. One of my favorite lessons from the book is to “make friends first and lead from the heart.” This advice has taught me that building connections with guests elevates their experiences and creates a more fulfilling work environment. As Christine mentions in her book, leadership isn’t about granting permission, but it’s more about fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to say “YES” to every guest. This is a great read for anyone pursuing a career in hospitality!

This book was great - easy to read and full of good tips for leaders in the hospitality business. My favorite tips are to watch your body language - people pay attention to body language and to make sure to treat employees just as well as paying customers. She talks about employees as another customer and how both paying customers and employees need to be treated in a positive and supportive way.

Yes is the Answer by Christine Trippi Christine is an ambassador of the hospitality industry and even more so a champion for going beyond customer service through creating customer experiences. In her book, Yes is the Answer, Christine shares several stories about how she was able to take what would have normally been a no and transformed it into a YES. And one of her stories is extremely moving (you never know what your YES can do for someone)... Christine breaks down getting to Yes through four steps: Make Friends First, Tell Them What You Can Do, Offer Options, Be Creative. She also share so much more valuable insight in the book. This is a fun book to read, but make no mistake the lessons are impactful, delivered in an easy to understand formula, and applicable right after reading this book. To quote Christine, "I'm not here to be good-nuff. I'm here to be LEGENDARY." 🙋‍♂️Recommendation - go grab a copy for you and your team! Highly recommend.

I’m not going to lie, I never finish books. I don’t mind reading, but I never seem to find books that peak my interest, and keep me hooked. YES is the Answer, is an exception. Christine Trippi is so beyond knowledgeable and optimistic towards our industry, it's inspiring. This book will be something that changes the way I personally see my job(s) in customer service. My favorite quote from her book was “Being positive in a negative situation is not being naive-it's leadership.” This is such an important message for the optimistic service providers who may feel insecure or often “walked over,” like myself. This book is empowering and inspiring for our generation of hospitality professionals, and I could not recommend it more! Christine knows what she's talking about!

I read this book for a college course, and I absolutely loved it! I am a senior in college with a major in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I felt like this book was so insightful and inspirational. I definitely want to take what I learned into my future careers. One thing that I took away from this book is that there is always a way to turn a no answer into a yes answer. It may be a little bit harder at first, but there is always a way. Another thing that I took away from this book is that making meaningful connections/relationships with people can be so beneficial. I highly recommend everyone to read this book because it will really change your mindset in such a positive way!