When one of our key department heads is absent from our weekly Level 10 Meeting, we find ourselves hesitant to make any decisions on their department's issues, which clogs our Issues List for weeks. How do we maintain our decision making momentum when a vital leader is missing?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The weekly Level 10 Meeting is designed to keep the company moving forward, and that progress cannot stall just because a key department head is absent. When you table critical issues because a leader is missing, you build a culture of dependency and clog your weekly Issues List with unresolved problems. To maintain your decision making momentum, establish a clear rule: the meeting pulse does not stop, and decisions must still be made. If a department head is absent, their department scorecard metrics and Rocks must still be reviewed by the team. If an issue arises that affects their department, the remaining team members must evaluate whether it requires an immediate decision or if it can wait. If the issue is critical to the business, the team must make the best decision possible with the information available. Do not let fear of conflict or a desire for consensus paralyze the leadership team. The absent leader must accept that the business keeps running in their absence, and they must fully support the decisions made by the team when they return. This discipline builds true organizational authority and ensures your company is prepared for a clean exit.