Stop Skipping the Huddle

I recently had a conversation with a friend about daily huddles. Do we do them? How often? What is discussed? Are they important?

Daily huddles with your team are one of the simplest routines you can add to your practice—and one of the first things to fall off when the schedule gets busy.

WHAT IS A DAILY HUDDLE?

A daily huddle is a dedicated time to review the day ahead, discuss upcoming patients, address key tasks and ensure the team is aligned. It also strengthens your role as a leader by giving you the opportunity to set clear expectations, establish priorities and lead the day with intention.

Yet, in reality, daily huddles are often overlooked. “We’re too busy” or “Everyone already knows what to do” or “We’ll handle issues as they come.” And that is when the day starts running you instead of the other way around.

The huddle isn’t about anticipating problems or checking boxes. It’s an essential way to maintain control of your practice and keep it running smoothly. Without a daily huddle, your team walks into each workday in a reactive state. They’re unaware of pressure points, unsure which patients may require more attention and unprepared for any nuances in the schedule. As a result, they spend the day reacting, not anticipating what’s ahead.

ALL IT TAKES IS A FEW MINUTES

Don’t have the time? I bet you do. Huddles don’t have to be convoluted and time consuming. Remember, they are not staff meetings. These five-to-ten-minute conversations are not the time to discuss larger issues or air grievances.

The goals of daily huddles can range, but my core focus areas include the following:

• Review the daily schedule
• Identify potential bottlenecks
• Highlight key patients
• Catch up with team members who may have been out
• Set goals for the day
• Call out opportunities for the team

I promise you, investing just a few minutes each day will return time, energy and momentum tenfold. You will see smoother workflows, clearer communication, fewer fires to put out and a more prepared start to the day. If your practice feels scattered, this is a great starting place to ground your team.

Starting the day with a team huddle sets the tone and direction before everything else begins. It creates space to align and prepare before the phones start ringing, patients arrive and the pace of practice life takes over. What do you use your team huddle for?

Yours in success,

Jennifer L. Stewart, OD

Read Dr. Stewart’s May insights here.