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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
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Death by Meeting summary
A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business
14 mins
Brief summary
Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni offers a guide to creating effective meetings by introducing different types of meetings and providing strategies to make them more engaging, productive, and purposeful.
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Death by Meeting
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The conflict
Casey McDaniel grew up caddying on the pristine golf courses of Carmel, California, dreaming of turning his passion for the game into a pro career. Armed with a golf scholarship and a knack for computers, he left for college, studying engineering while becoming a standout in his conference’s golf circuit. Just when he was on the verge of breaking into the big league, a persistent case of muscle spasms called the “yips” ended his career.
Disappointed but undeterred, Casey returned home, got married, started a family, and used his remaining tournament earnings to hire two programmers to build what he hoped would be the most realistic golf simulation video game imaginable.
Within two years, Casey’s fledgling venture, Yip Software, had released a golfing game so lifelike that its popularity soared across pro shops nationwide. Over the next eight years, Casey scaled up by hiring more staff, moving into larger offices, and crafting additional sports titles. The local community admired him for creating compelling professional opportunities in an otherwise laid-back town. Yet those closest to the business quietly noted that something about his leadership fell short – Casey’s charm and creativity were undeniable, but a sharper focus might have propelled the company to even greater heights.
Employees sensed a growing complacency in everyday operations, perhaps best demonstrated by their lackluster – to put it politely – staff meetings. Even the newly appointed chief of human resources was thrown by the general apathy toward the organization’s mission. For a tech firm producing such cutting-edge games, the absence of genuine excitement was perplexing. So, in a bid to jolt everyone’s spirits, Casey McDaniel did something he’d never imagined doing: announcing at the company’s tenth-anniversary party that they’d go public, hoping that an infusion of capital would spark momentum.
A few weeks of half-hearted planning for the IPO ended abruptly when Playsoft, one of the nation’s premier gaming corporations, dangled an acquisition offer that seemed almost too generous to refuse. The deal closed faster than anyone expected, and Yip Software employees rejoiced as they received stock in the acquiring firm.
Unfortunately, their excitement quickly evaporated when the market took a steep tumble, and that precious stock value plummeted. But things would only go from bad to worse for Casey when one of Playsoft’s executives came to sit in on a weekly team meeting. This executive, the notorious J. T. Harrison, pulled no punches in calling Casey out on the astounding lack of enthusiasm and direction he’d displayed in the two-hour meeting. Harrison hinted that he’d be back to observe another team meeting in a few weeks, casting serious doubt on whether Casey was the right person to run the very company he’d founded.
Blindsided, Casey confided in his assistant, Will, that the new leadership might be eyeing his job. With pressure mounting from every side, Casey knew that his next steps needed to kindle the workplace spark – or confirm the doubts of those who believed he was out of his depth.
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What is Death by Meeting about?
Death by Meeting (2004) is a part-fable, part-instruction guide to the pitfalls of dull and unproductive meetings. It highlights why meetings can be so damaging to team morale and proposes a fresh approach – relying on healthy conflict and a clear purpose – to keep leaders and participants engaged.
Death by Meeting Review
Death by Meeting (2004) by Patrick Lencioni sheds light on the importance of meetings and offers practical solutions for making them more effective. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It presents a refreshing perspective on meetings, showing how they can be transformed from time-wasting to productive and meaningful.
- Through compelling storytelling and relatable examples, the book keeps readers engaged, making it an enjoyable and insightful read.
- Practical tips and strategies are provided to help readers improve their own meetings, giving them the tools they need to implement positive change.
Who should read Death by Meeting?
- Team leaders wanting to enhance meeting effectiveness
- Executives striving to boost team engagement
- Consultants advising clients on best practices for organizational health
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Death by Meeting FAQs
What is the main message of Death by Meeting?
The main message of Death by Meeting emphasizes the importance of effective and engaging meetings.
How long does it take to read Death by Meeting?
The reading time for Death by Meeting varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Death by Meeting a good book? Is it worth reading?
Death by Meeting is a worthwhile read that offers practical insights on how to make meetings more productive and engaging.
Who is the author of Death by Meeting?
The author of Death by Meeting is Patrick Lencioni.
What to read after Death by Meeting?
If you're wondering what to read next after Death by Meeting, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Compassionate Leadership by Paul Axtell
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- Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi
- The Longevity Imperative by Andrew J Scott
- Do Epic Shit by Ankur Warikoo