We frequently run out of time during the IDS® portion of our Level 10 Meeting™ because we spend thirty minutes debating issues that are actually simple decisions that only require a quick yes or no. How do we fast-track simple decisions and save our IDS® energy for real, complex problems?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A highly common waste of meeting energy is treating every single item on the Issues List as if it requires a deep, structural debate. Some issues are just simple questions disguised as problems. When you spend thirty minutes discussing something that could be resolved with a quick decision, you leave your most critical operational bottlenecks untouched.

To fast-track these simple decisions, the facilitator must enforce discipline during the Identify phase of IDS®. Before the team begins discussing an issue, the facilitator should ask the owner of the issue a simple question: What do you need from the team?

The owner should respond with one of three things: a decision, a brainstorm, or a quick piece of feedback. If they simply need a decision, the facilitator should force a quick vote or a clear directive from the seat owner, make the decision, assign a to-do if necessary, and move on. Do not let the team wander into a debate about the history of the problem. If an issue can be resolved in thirty seconds, resolve it and cross it off. By demanding clarity on the desired outcome before any discussion begins, you protect your team's mental energy and keep your weekly pulse focused on solving the hard, systemic issues that actually move the business forward.