We spend almost our entire IDS® time on the 'D' (Discussing), repeating the same arguments and perspectives over and over without ever moving to the 'S' (Solving) or even properly defining the 'I' (Identify). How do we break this discussion loop and drive our team to concrete solutions?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Many leadership teams suffer from a lack of discipline during IDS®, spending eighty percent of their time in a continuous discussion loop without ever identifying the real problem or reaching a concrete solution. They mistake talking for progress.

To break this loop, you must strictly enforce the three distinct steps of IDS®. The first step, Identify, is where most teams fail. They start discussing the symptoms before they agree on the root cause. The Integrator must pause the team and ask, what is the exact problem we are trying to solve? Do not move to Discuss until everyone agrees on that single-sentence definition.

Once the issue is identified, move to Discuss. The rule of thumb here is that everyone gets to say their piece once. After that, any further discussion is just repeating the same points and wasting time. The Integrator must step in and say, we are repeating ourselves, what is the solution?

This brings you to Solve. A solution is not an agreement to talk more or research further. A solution is a concrete action that makes the problem go away forever. It must result in a specific, measurable To-Do assigned to one owner with a seven-day deadline. If you do not have a clear To-Do, you have not solved the issue. Force the team to commit to an action, write it down, and move on.