We have a highly competent leader on our Accountability Chart who remains silent during conflict in IDS because they hate confrontation, preferring to follow up with people individually after the meeting. How do we break this offline conflict loop?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When a leader avoids open conflict during IDS® and chooses to resolve issues through private, offline conversations, they are undermining the entire leadership team. This behavior creates backchanneling, breeds political silos, and prevents the rest of the team from aligning on decisions.

In the EOS® model, we operate under a signed covenant of trust. This means we resolve issues as one team, with one voice, in the room.

To break this loop, the facilitator must actively pull this leader into the discussion. When you notice them staying silent during a heated debate, call on them directly. You might say, you have deep expertise in this area, and we need your input on this issue before we make a decision.

If they attempt to deflect or say they will follow up later, do not let them off the hook. Explain that the decision must be made during the Level 10 Meeting™ and that their perspective is required now.

Additionally, you must have a private one-on-one conversation with this leader to address their fear of conflict. Remind them that healthy conflict is necessary to build trust. Let them know that holding back their true thoughts during the meeting and then lobbying people afterward violates your team's agreement to be on the same page.

For an owner planning a clean exit, you cannot afford to leave behind a leadership team that relies on political backchannels. Force the issue into the open so your team can learn to resolve conflict together.