Are you an Early Bird or a Night Owl ?

As a hospitality professional in the international hotel industry, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to optimize productivity and performance to keep up with the fast-paced demands of the tourism sector. One ongoing debate in professional circles is whether it’s better to be an early bird or a night owl, and this question is especially relevant in the 24/7 world of hospitality.

The tourism and hospitality industry is unlike many other fields. Hotels never sleep, and the needs of guests and partners are around the clock. This makes understanding personal productivity rhythms—whether someone is an early riser or a night owl—crucial, not only for individual performance but also for aligning talent with the right roles within the organization.

Early Birds in the Tourism Industry

There’s no denying the value of early risers in the hospitality business. For many professionals, starting the day before the guests wake up provides a calm and productive environment, enabling them to handle crucial tasks with focus and efficiency.

Advantages of Early Birds in Tourism:

1. Preparedness for early check-ins and events: Whether it’s corporate clients arriving early for a conference or the need to coordinate with international partners, early birds thrive in these time-sensitive situations.
2. Smooth operations during high-demand hours: Early risers ensure that everything is in place for peak morning operations, from breakfast service to guest check-outs.
3. Alignment with senior management schedules: Many executives and senior decision-makers in the hospitality industry tend to start their day early. Early birds align naturally with the schedules of key stakeholders, which can facilitate smoother communication and faster problem-solving.

As many in hotel management know, having early risers on the team helps ensure the day's logistics start seamlessly, especially when handling high-profile clients or large-scale events.

Night Owls in the Tourism Industry

While early birds may handle the morning rush, night owls shine when the sun goes down, especially in an industry like tourism, where guests may arrive at any hour. The creative and problem-solving abilities that are heightened at night make these individuals invaluable during the late-night shifts that keep hotels operating smoothly.

Advantages of Night Owls in Tourism:

1. Managing night-time operations: From handling late arrivals to overseeing night audits, night owls are often better suited to night shifts, ensuring that the hotel operates smoothly after hours.
2. Crisis management: Emergencies and last-minute issues frequently arise during off-hours. Night owls tend to stay calm and composed, finding creative solutions while most of the world is asleep.
3. International business coordination: In a global tourism chain, night owls may be ideal for communicating with colleagues, clients, or partners in different time zones, allowing for seamless international operations.

In my experience, having a balance of early birds and night owls in a hotel team creates a well-rounded operational dynamic, ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience is handled with care and attention, no matter the time of day.

The Role of HR in Matching Talent with Roles

In an industry that runs 24/7, the importance of HR understanding whether a candidate is an early bird or a night owl cannot be overstated. Aligning personal productivity rhythms with the right role is critical to ensuring that employees are not only productive but also satisfied with their work-life balance.

Why HR Must Understand Each Candidate’s Natural Rhythm:

1. Increased productivity: When employees work during their natural peak hours, their performance is enhanced. Early birds may be more suited for daytime roles, while night owls can excel in evening or overnight shifts.
2. Improved employee retention: When employees are placed in positions that match their energy levels and preferences, they are more likely to be satisfied, reducing turnover rates—a crucial concern in the high-demand tourism industry.
3. Better guest satisfaction: Having the right staff working at the right time leads to smoother operations and more attentive service, which in turn leads to better guest experiences.

When HR professionals understand whether a candidate thrives in the early hours or during the night, they can make better hiring decisions and allocate team members to roles where they can perform their best. In a global hotel chain, where time zones and travel schedules play a significant role in operations, having this insight can make the difference between an efficient team and one that struggles to keep up with the demands of the business.

Creating the Ideal Tourism Workforce

At the end of the day, success in the tourism industry hinges on building a team that works harmoniously around the clock. Both early birds and night owls have unique strengths that can be leveraged to create a balanced, high-performing workforce. The key for HR professionals and hiring managers is to understand these differences and position employees in roles that complement their natural productivity rhythms.

In the tourism industry, where guest expectations never sleep, aligning the right people with the right roles can significantly enhance both operational efficiency and job satisfaction. By recognizing the value of both early birds and night owls, HR teams can ensure that their hotel staff are not only productive but also motivated to provide the best possible experience for guests.

In the 24/7 world of hospitality, there’s room—and need—for both the early bird and the night owl to succeed.