In hospitality, mornings set the tone for the day. Your team can walk out of a morning lineup ready to tackle the day’s challenges—or dragging their feet, unmotivated before their shift even starts. It’s up to leadership to turn those quick 15 minutes into the highlight of the day. So how do you make your morning lineups not just another meeting but a moment your team looks forward to?

I’ve spent years perfecting my own morning lineups, and trust me—it’s a blend of high energy, structure, and just the right amount of fun. Here’s how you can do the same at your property.

1. Establish a Structure That Works

Let’s start with the basics. The structure of your lineup should be rock solid. At my hotels, we follow a routine that ensures everyone gets a chance to speak, and that the meeting flows efficiently. Our Director of Rooms kicks things off, followed by department heads giving quick updates. As the GM, I always go last. Why? It’s simple. The GM typically has the final points, the big updates, or even the pep talk to get the team pumped up for the day.

This simple routine keeps the meeting moving forward and allows every department a moment to shine. More importantly, it gives everyone a voice—an essential part of making sure the entire team feels included and valued. The key is to keep it organized and on track so no one feels like they’re wasting their time.

2. The Energy Is Set by Leadership

The GM’s energy is contagious—this is non-negotiable. How you come into that room sets the tone for the rest of the team. I make it a point to come in with excitement. You can’t be low-energy in a lineup and expect your team to be pumped up when they walk out. I usually start with a funny story, maybe something from my morning drop-off with my kids or a crazy thing that happened over the weekend. It sets the mood and gives the lineup a personal touch.

Remember, if you as the GM aren’t enthusiastic, why would anyone else be? Injecting humor is essential. This isn’t the time to scold people or bring up negatives—that’s reserved for private discussions. The lineup is meant to motivate, not deflate.

3. Incorporate Fun Elements: Quotes, History, and National Days

Here’s one of our team’s favorite traditions: every morning, a different department is tasked with bringing the “fun facts” of the day. We have three categories—quote of the day, today in history, and the national holiday of the day. Believe it or not, these small tidbits keep things lighthearted and break up the business talk. It’s fun to see what each department comes up with.

For example, our Banquet Manager is a massive soccer fan, so you can bet his quote is always something from Messi. Me? I’m a Disney fanatic, so my go-to is usually something inspiring from Walt Disney. These little moments add personality to the lineup and make it something the team actually looks forward to each day.

National Days are particularly fun. Who doesn’t love celebrating National Wine Day or National Oreo Cookie Day? It gives us all a reason to smile, and maybe even plan a small celebration or treat during the day. It’s a small touch that brings a lot of joy into the meeting.

Incorporating daily quotes or historical facts gives people something to ponder outside the regular grind. It also sets a tone of learning and fun, helping the team start the day with something unique. These segments help the team look beyond just the hotel and connect with the world, past and present.

4. Keep It Concise: Don’t Let It Drag

One of the biggest challenges in running an effective lineup is keeping it on time. It’s easy to let conversations drift into irrelevant territory. But here’s the thing—the lineup is meant to prepare the team for today, not next week. If someone starts rambling about future events, I have no problem cutting them off and asking them to sidebar that conversation for later. It’s not about being rude; it’s about respecting everyone’s time.

We use this time to discuss key things that are happening at the hotel that day, like banquet events, VIP arrivals, and site inspections. This is also the time to share photos of VIP guests, or inform the team if a guest with a previous issue is returning. That way, everyone knows how to greet the guest or handle any situations that arise.

The goal is to walk out of that lineup with a clear idea of what’s happening today and feeling energized to take it on. Anything else can be handled in a side conversation or a later meeting.

5. Recognition Is Key

People love to be recognized, and morning lineups are the perfect time to do it. Every day, we take a moment to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and we also give shoutouts to anyone who was mentioned in a positive guest review from the night before. It’s a small gesture, but it makes a big impact. It shows the team that we notice their hard work, and it encourages others to step up their game.

But recognition doesn’t always have to be formal. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “Hey, great job on that event last night,” or, “You handled that tough guest with such grace.” These little moments of appreciation can turn someone’s entire day around.

6. Switch Up the Location

While we usually hold our lineups in the executive office, I’ve learned that sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders for morale. When I worked in Miami Beach, I’d often move the lineup to different parts of the hotel. Maybe we’d meet by the pool one day, or on the rooftop, or even in the spa if the dining room was occupied. It’s amazing how much a simple change in location can refresh the energy of the lineup. The team feels like they’re on an adventure, and it breaks the monotony of meeting in the same place every day.

If you’ve got the flexibility to move your lineup, even if it’s just once in a while, do it. Your team will appreciate the change, and it keeps things feeling fresh.

7. Involve the Whole Team

Lineups aren’t just for managers—they’re for everyone. We make sure every department has representation, and that includes interns and new hires. It’s a great way to introduce new team members to the rest of the staff, and it helps them feel included from day one. When someone’s name is called in lineup, it shows that their voice matters, whether they’re leading a department or just starting out.

Our lineup isn’t just about leadership talking at the team. It’s about creating a dialogue and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.

For young leaders or those just stepping into management roles, the lineup serves as an invaluable tool. It gives them a chance to hone their public speaking and communication skills in front of their peers, while also receiving immediate feedback. In these 15 minutes, they learn how to confidently deliver updates and build rapport with other departments.

8. Don’t Handle Tough Issues in Lineup

One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that tough conversations don’t belong in the lineup. If someone’s performance is lacking or there’s a sensitive issue to address, I’ll wait until after the meeting and speak to them privately. There’s no reason to embarrass someone in front of the entire team. The lineup is about positivity and motivation—save the tough talks for a more appropriate time.

However, if there was a stressful night or low morale from the previous day, we’ll take a moment to address it right at the start. It’s better to get it out of the way, talk about what went wrong, and brainstorm how we can avoid it in the future. Once that elephant is addressed, we can move forward with a clearer focus on the day ahead.

9. Thursdays Are for Training and Deep Dives

While our daily lineups are short and sweet, Thursdays are different. Instead of the usual 15-minute quick hit, we hold a longer, more in-depth staff meeting. This is where we dive into guest reviews, look at metrics, and sometimes even incorporate a bit of training.

On these days, I like to use slides or other visual aids to keep the team engaged. It’s a chance to review what’s working, what needs improvement, and give the team a little more information to chew on. This is where we handle the more technical aspects of the operation, but even then, we keep it engaging and try not to let it drag on for too long.

10. What the Team Loves About It

I’ve gotten plenty of feedback over the years, and one thing stands out—the team loves the little fun facts we bring to the lineup. The quote of the day, today in history, and national holiday always get a laugh or a smile. It’s a small addition, but it makes the meeting feel less like a chore and more like a fun way to start the day. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase each department’s personality.

Ultimately, the key to a successful morning lineup is balance. You want to keep things lighthearted and fun, but still make sure the team walks away with the information they need to succeed that day. With a little structure, a lot of energy, and just the right amount of humor, your morning lineups can become the most fun 15 minutes of your team’s day.

Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from www.HotelExecutive.com.