Napoleon’s Strategy for Hotel Management: How to Classify and Manage Your Team

A property's success depends not only on its facilities or location, but above all on the people who run it. A well-managed team is key to delivering exceptional service, optimising operational efficiency and ensuring guest satisfaction. However, not everyone contributes to the hotel's performance in the same way. Some are strategic pillars, while others can become silent obstacles that affect service quality and the business's reputation.

To better understand how to structure and lead a team effectively, we can turn to the classification Napoleon Bonaparte used for his soldiers. While this classification originated on the battlefield, its application in the business world—and particularly in hospitality—is surprisingly useful. Analysing the different types of employees allows us to identify the right role for each person and, more importantly, detect those who could pose a risk to the hotel's smooth operation.