The Most Valuable Meeting You’re Not Having. How 10 minutes could change the way your team works.
- Heather Italiano
- May 2
- 4 min read
“I don’t think that would work for us.”
“We don’t have time for that.”
“That sounds like a waste of time.”
These are the responses I hear 9 out of 10 times when I introduce the idea of daily check-ins from Pat Lencioni’s Effective Meetings Model in Death by Meeting. And to be fair, I get the skepticism. “Daily” and “meeting” in the same sentence tends to set off alarms for most people.
But here’s what’s usually misunderstood: It’s not about more meetings. It’s about more focused meetings.
Why It Matters: Confusion is costly. Misalignment slows you down. And if your team is constantly reacting instead of anticipating - there’s likely a daily communication gap you haven’t addressed.
Big Idea: A daily check-in is the fastest way to spot misalignment and clear blockers - before they derail the day.
What is the Death by Meeting model?
In Death by Meeting, Patrick Lencioni outlines a practical framework for fixing one of the biggest productivity killers in business: poorly run meetings.
Instead of defaulting to one long, cluttered weekly meeting, Lencioni recommends four distinct types of meetings, each with a clear purpose:
Daily Check-In (5–10 minutes): For real-time updates and alignment.
Weekly Tactical (45–90 minutes): To focus on short-term priorities and solve issues.
Monthly Strategic (2–4 hours): For long-range thinking and decision-making.
Quarterly Off-Site: For big-picture planning and team health.
The brilliance of this model? Each meeting has a role, and none are redundant. The daily check-in, in particular, is often dismissed - but it’s the one that builds daily rhythm, purpose, and clarity.
The Power of a 10-Minute Check-In
Let me introduce you to two examples that prove this isn’t just theory - it works, across industries.
TentCraft, a Michigan-based manufacturing company, was recently featured in Forbes for a daily habit that transformed their culture and operations.
Every morning, their team gathers for a 7-minute stand-up to answer three simple questions:
What are you working on?
What’s blocking you?
What’s coming next?
No slide decks. No status overload. Just clarity, alignment, and forward motion.
The takeaway? Keep it tight, consistent, and simple - and let the rhythm do the work.
They started solving issues before they became problems. That one habit improved their communication, sped up decision-making, and made team members feel more connected.
But manufacturing isn’t the only space where this thrives.
In Hospitality, It's the Norm - When Done Right
At The Westin Dallas Southlake, daily stand-ups aren’t just a nice idea - they’re a strategic rhythm that supports a culture of excellence.
Every day at 9:30 AM, department heads meet for no more than 10 minutes. Here’s their flow:
Each manager shares their team's top priority for the day
Cross-department reminders and support needs are exchanged
Guest survey feedback from the day before is reviewed
Managers give quick kudos to team members who went above and beyond, so the other leaders can celebrate that person when they see them throughout the day
Then, each leader cascades the stand-up to their departments with the same structure. The result? Fewer surprises, better coordination, real-time recognition, a daily pulse on what matters most.
This team climbed from #39 out of 121 Westins in North America to the #1 Westin in the world in under two years. What set them apart? A rare mix of genuine care, fierce accountability, luxury-level standards, and a bold mindset of never refusing to settle.
They don’t just talk about excellence - they’ve built systems and routines to deliver it every day, at a level you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton or boutique resort.
And one of those proven systems? You guessed it - the daily check-in.
Don't Knock It Before You Try It
If you’re in hospitality, healthcare, restaurants or manufacturing, daily check-ins might already be common in pockets of your industry. But for corporate teams or hybrid environments, it often feels like too big a lift.
Here’s your challenge: Try it for one week.
Use TentCraft’s three questions. Or model the Westin’s Dallas Southlake's version. Keep it at 10 minutes or less. Don’t overthink it. Just stay consistent.
You don’t need perfect logistics. You just need a place for daily alignment.
You might be surprised by what clears up, speeds up, or lifts up - just by spending a few intentional minutes together each morning.
Why It Matters
Daily check-ins are one of the simplest ways to reduce confusion, build momentum, and recognize your people. And when done well, they don’t feel like a meeting - they feel like a productivity tool.
They build rhythm.
They create clarity.
They shift culture - one day at a time.
Need Help?
If you’re feeling the weight of misalignment, silos, or stalled momentum - start small. Start with 10 minutes. Start with today. Build the habit before you build the system.
Need help getting started? Let’s talk about how to design meaningful rhythms that move your team from reactive to ready.
Written by Heather Italiano, Leadership Consultant and Founder of People Warriors
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