Routines Power Business Success

Daily routine meetings are often seen as a time sink with little to no value and can be one of the most disliked aspects of running a business. However, they may also be the most critical system for moving quickly, identifying and solving issues, and improving alignment between the company’s strategic goals and day-to-day activities.

Routines, especially daily scrums or stand-ups, form the backbone of high-performing businesses. These short, focused meetings facilitate swift communication, bring obstacles to light, and ensure teams stay aligned and focused on shared objectives.

A Scrum includes the entire functional team, from interns to top-level leaders. It’s typically conducted while standing to keep it brief and focused. Each person answers three key questions: 1) What did you accomplish yesterday? 2) What are today’s goals? 3) What obstacles are blocking your progress, and what do you need to overcome them?

These three questions are essential for building a high-performing company. Reporting on yesterday’s accomplishments drives accountability, while defining today’s goals sets clear performance targets and priorities. Identifying obstacles early ensures that teams stay agile and responsive to challenges.

Most importantly, “waterfalling” issues upward allows frontline teams to escalate concerns that require leadership intervention. By raising issues sooner with more transparency, leadership remains connected to real-time challenges, ensuring quick and effective decision-making.

Routines may not be glamorous, but they are vital to high-performing teams. Leadership meetings that incorporate Scrums and a bottom-up flow of information create a responsive, aligned, and adaptable organization. Ultimately, well-structured routines drive meaningful results.