Priority-Focused Huddles: The Key to Keeping Your Strategy Alive
You’ve invested significant time and energy crafting strategic priorities, building buy-in from your team, and aligning them to long-term goals. But far too often, leaders check in on these priorities once a quarter, only to find they’ve slipped through the cracks. The result? A scramble to figure out why things didn’t get done.
The fix? A Priority-Focused Huddle.
This isn’t your typical status meeting. These are regular check-ins that ensure the work you’ve planned for is actually happening. It keeps everyone on task, driving towards the milestones that matter most—so you’re not surprised by stalled progress at the end of the quarter. Here’s how it works and why it’s so powerful.
1. Establishing a Rhythm: Stay on Track
The rhythm of your Priority-Focused Huddle is key. How often should you meet? Ideally, once a week or, at the very least, every two weeks. The faster your priority needs to move, the more frequent your huddles should be. This regular cadence ensures that the priorities you set in motion during your planning sessions remain top-of-mind throughout the quarter.
Pro Tip: The shorter the time between huddles, the easier it is to course-correct. If something is off-track, you can fix it quickly rather than waiting until it’s too late to adjust.
2. Who Should Be in the Room?
The right people need to be involved for the huddle to work. Include anyone with a child priority directly tied to a parent priority. Those who contribute but don’t own a priority? They should be managed through the owners of the priorities they support.
Keeping the right players in the room focuses the discussion, while cutting down on unnecessary noise that slows decision-making.
3. The Agenda: Driving Action, Not Just Discussion
Effective huddles don’t just talk about what’s happened—they drive action on what’s next. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal huddle agenda:
- What Have We Accomplished?
Review the key milestones since the last meeting. Hold the team accountable to their deliverables with a Who, What, When structure. - Priorities in Red:
If a priority is in the red, it’s not progressing. This is the team’s chance to help the owner get back on track. Identify roadblocks and set immediate action steps to resolve them. - Priorities in Yellow:
These priorities are still moving, but slowly. What can be done to push them back to green? Discuss what’s needed and update your action plan. - Related KPIs:
Are any KPIs off target? If so, what needs help, and what steps can the team take to address lagging metrics? - Next Steps:
Set clear expectations for the upcoming week or two. Who will do what, by when? Ensure everyone leaves knowing exactly what needs to be accomplished before the next huddle.
4. Preparation: Keep Priorities Alive
The key to an effective huddle is preparation. This meeting isn’t just a box to check—it’s a driver of real execution. It also serves as a deadline for the team. People are more likely to stay on track with their milestones if they know they’ll be held accountable at the next huddle.
Before the meeting, ensure each owner has reviewed their progress, flagged any challenges, and prepared for the discussion. This prevents meetings from getting bogged down by surprises or vague updates. By using the huddle to keep priorities alive, you’ll maintain momentum throughout the quarter.
5. Sections to Include in Your Huddle
Make sure your huddle covers these critical areas to ensure focus and accountability:
- Tagged Priorities:
Discuss the specific priorities tied to your larger goals. Keep the discussion focused on the work that moves the needle. - Relevant KPIs:
Are the numbers where they need to be? If not, address them and set plans to close any gaps. - Priority Analysis & Action Plans:
Analyze which priorities are moving forward and which need attention. Set action plans for red and yellow priorities. - Need Help:
This is the space for anyone to call for assistance. If someone needs resources or support to achieve their goals, now is the time to address it.
Final Thoughts: Making Priorities Stick
Regular Priority-Focused Huddles are the key to making sure your strategic plans become real achievements. By setting a rhythm, involving the right people, driving action, and staying prepared, you ensure that your carefully crafted priorities aren’t just words on paper. They’re progress in action.
The payoff is simple: fewer surprises at the end of the quarter, and more wins along the way.
