Death by Meeting

About the Author

Patrick Lencioni is a prominent author, consultant, and speaker, recognized for his expertise in leadership and organizational health. As the founder and president of The Table Group, Lencioni has dedicated his career to helping leaders improve their organizations' effectiveness. Since 1997, his principles have been widely adopted across various industries, including multinational corporations, entrepreneurial ventures, professional sports teams, non-profits, and even the military. Lencioni's body of work includes ten best-selling books, with over three million copies sold worldwide. His insightful commentary on leadership and organizational culture has appeared in leading publications like the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Fortune. His book, "Death by Meeting," is a testament to his belief that effective leadership and well-structured meetings are crucial to organizational success.

Main Idea

"Death by Meeting" by Patrick Lencioni addresses the widespread issue of unproductive and tedious meetings in the corporate world. Contrary to popular belief, Lencioni argues that meetings are not the problem; rather, it is the way they are conducted that leads to inefficiency and dissatisfaction. He posits that meetings are essential for decision-making, innovation, and team cohesion, and should be treated with the same importance as any other critical business function. Lencioni introduces a unique approach to meetings, emphasizing the need for drama, engagement, and proper structure to make them not only productive but also energizing. His book combines a fictional narrative with practical advice, providing a comprehensive guide for transforming the way organizations conduct meetings.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Dreaded Meeting
2. The Fable: A Story of Yip Software
3. The Reality: Meetings Matter
4. Problem #1: Lack of Drama
5. Problem #2: Lack of Contextual Structure
6. The Solution: Four Types of Meetings
7. Implementing the Model
8. Conclusion: The New Meeting Culture

The Fable: A Story of Yip Software

The narrative of "Death by Meeting" is centered around Casey McDaniel, a former professional golfer turned entrepreneur, who is the CEO of Yip Software. Yip Software is known for developing lifelike sports video games, but despite this innovation, the company struggles with mediocrity. The company's culture is a direct reflection of the uninspired and unproductive meetings that take place regularly. These meetings are described as "lethargic, unfocused, and passionless," mirroring the overall lack of enthusiasm and drive within the organization.

Casey, hoping to solve these issues, decides to take the company public, believing that financial incentives would motivate his employees. However, this plan leads to an unexpected turn when a larger video game company expresses interest in acquiring Yip. The acquisition process exposes the company's internal dysfunctions, particularly through a series of poorly managed meetings. This is where Will, a new assistant hired by Casey, comes into play. Will, a charismatic and insightful individual, quickly identifies the root of the company's problems as the meetings themselves.