When we get to the IDS® portion of our Level 10 Meeting™, we solve the individual tactical issues on our list but fail to connect them to our larger organizational goals. How do we ensure our weekly problem-solving is directly aligned with our V/TO® and long-term exit strategy?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Solving tactical operational fires is necessary, but if your weekly Level 10 Meeting™ issues are completely disconnected from your V/TO®, you are steering your ship without a compass. You will end up with a highly efficient business that is moving in the wrong direction.

To align your weekly problem-solving with your long-term goals, you must change how you prioritize your Issues List during IDS®. Before you begin solving, the leadership team must review the issues and ask: which of these issues is actively blocking us from achieving our quarterly Rocks or our one year plan on the V/TO®?

The facilitator must force the team to tackle those high-impact issues first. If an issue does not directly impact your Rocks, your V/TO®, or your exit readiness, it should remain at the bottom of the list or be solved outside the meeting.

When discussing solutions, always test them against your core values and your target market. If a proposed solution contradicts your long-term vision, it is the wrong solution.

By constantly tying your weekly pulse back to your V/TO®, you ensure that every To-Do completed is a step toward building transferable value and preparing for a clean exit.