Hilton Named a Golden Rule Leader: Stakeholder Value in Action
The Golden Rule designation is designed to help people visualize what the principles of stakeholder capitalism look like in action. Click here to subscribe to the ESM weekly e-newsletter.
The Golden Rule Leaders designation honors organizations that create enduring value for all stakeholders. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. joins this esteemed list, with scores that reflect its commitment.
Hilton’s mission—to be the most hospitable company by creating heartfelt experiences for guests, opportunities for team members, and positive impacts on communities—is more than a statement. Backed by measurable systems and third-party validation, Hilton scores highly across stakeholder groups for a total score of 21.
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From a financial standpoint, shareholders are happy. Over the past five years, the company’s stock exceeded the S&P 500 and that of its leading rivals Marriott and Hyatt (both with impressive returns as well) with an 183% overall return. (Note that stock price performance is not a factor for consideration, because many companies are privately held.) Customers: Guest Satisfaction (Score: 4.0/5)
Hilton delivers on guest value. In the 2025 J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction Index, Hilton brands such as Hampton and Tru topped their segments.
Employees: Culture and Opportunity (Score: 4.5/5)
Hilton’s 10-K human capital disclosures offer rare transparency: workforce data, engagement, and leadership development. Its focus on people earned Hilton the No. 1 spot on the 2025 Fortune World’s Best Workplaces list.
Supply Chain Partners: Responsible Sourcing (Score: 4.0/5)
Hilton’s Responsible Sourcing Policy and EcoVadis ESG screening are validated practices. In 2024, Hilton reportedly spent $467 million with diverse suppliers, expanding value beyond its own walls.
Communities: Impact and Investment (Score: 4.0/5)
The Hilton Global Foundation contributed $5.3 million in 2024, using practices that align community impact with organizational purpose.
Environment: Measurable Sustainability (Score: 4.0/5)
The LightStay platform, aligned with ISO standards, reportedly saved $1.3 billion in utility costs.
A Balanced Model for the Future
With strong scores—4.0 to 4.5 across all stakeholder groups—Hilton exemplifies what Golden Rule leadership is about. By aligning mission with measurable impact, Hilton shows that businesses can thrive when all stakeholders win.
Enterprise Engagement Alliance Services
Celebrating our 17th year, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance helps organizations enhance performance through:1. Information and marketing opportunities on stakeholder management and total rewards:
- ESM Weekly on stakeholder management since 2009. Click here to subscribe; click here for media kit.
- RRN Weekly on total rewards since 1996. Click here to subscribe; click here for media kit.
- EEA YouTube channel on enterprise engagement, human capital, and total rewards since 2020
Management Academy to enhance future equity value for your organization.3. Books on implementation: Enterprise Engagement for CEOs and Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap.
4. Advisory services and research: Strategic guidance, learning and certification on stakeholder management, measurement, metrics, and corporate sustainability reporting.
5. Permission-based targeted business development to identify and build relationships with the people most likely to buy.
Contact: Bruce Bolger at TheICEE.org; 914-591-7600, ext. 230.
