SW-O-001 Ready beginner
2-4 weeks
Weekly Operating Rhythm Playbook
Establish a consistent weekly cadence for management meetings, KPI reviews, and accountability discussions.
Playbook Content
Overview
The Weekly Operating Rhythm Playbook establishes the management cadence that drives accountability and execution. Most companies meet too frequently with too little structure. This playbook fixes both problems.
The Core Framework
An effective weekly rhythm has three components:
- Leadership Team Meeting (90 minutes)
- Department Stand-ups (15-30 minutes)
- One-on-Ones (30-60 minutes)
Each meeting type serves a distinct purpose and follows specific rules.
Leadership Team Meeting
Purpose
Align on priorities, surface issues, make decisions.
Agenda Template
| Time | Item | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Good news | Round robin |
| 5-15 min | Scorecard review | Finance |
| 15-30 min | Rock updates | Each owner |
| 30-80 min | IDS (Issues) | Facilitator |
| 80-90 min | Conclude | CEO |
Rules
- Start on time, end on time
- No devices unless presenting
- Decisions require commitment to act
Department Stand-ups
Purpose
Coordinate tactical work, identify blockers early.
Format
Each team member answers three questions:
- What did I complete yesterday?
- What will I complete today?
- What’s blocking me?
Rules
- Stand up (keeps it short)
- Maximum 30 seconds per person
- Blockers go to parking lot for offline resolution
One-on-Ones
Purpose
Develop people, provide feedback, maintain relationships.
Agenda Template
- 10 min: Their topics
- 10 min: Your topics
- 10 min: Development discussion
Rules
- Never cancel or reschedule
- Employee sets the agenda
- Document commitments
Implementation Timeline
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Design meeting structures |
| 2 | Pilot with leadership team |
| 3 | Roll out department stand-ups |
| 4 | Launch one-on-ones |
Common Anti-patterns
Avoid these meeting dysfunctions:
- Status Report Theater - Meetings that only share information
- Decision Avoidance - Discussing without deciding
- Calendar Creep - Adding meetings without removing others
- Executive Monologue - Leaders talking, not listening
Success Metrics
Track these to ensure the rhythm is working:
- Meeting NPS from participants
- Decisions made per meeting
- Issues resolved same week
- One-on-one completion rate