During our EOS® quarterly offsites, two of my leadership team members sit back, check their phones, and barely participate unless directly called on. How do we fix this disengagement so our strategic planning is actually collaborative?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Passive disengagement during an offsite is a symptom of a deeper team dynamic, usually a lack of trust or a feeling that the decisions have already been made by the owner. When people check their phones or sit back, they are managing their status and protecting themselves rather than engaging in vulnerability.

To fix this, you need to establish clear ground rules and call out the behavior in real time during the session. First, implement a strict no devices rule. All laptops and phones must remain closed or on a separate table, to be checked only during designated ten minute breaks. This simple physical constraint forces presence.

Second, directly address the root cause of the silence. In your next Level 10 Meeting™ before the offsite, use the IDS® process to discuss team engagement. Ask the disengaged members what is preventing them from speaking up. If they feel their opinions do not impact the final V/TO® decisions, you must address that head on as the Visionary or Integrator.

Finally, use the Kolbe A Index to understand their communication styles. A high Fact Finder needs time to process information before they speak. If you spring big questions on them during the offsite without prior preparation, they will shut down. Send the agenda and key metrics out at least one week in advance so everyone can arrive prepared to contribute equally.