Our five-minute segue is killing our momentum because people show up unprepared, resulting in long, awkward silences while they try to think of a personal or professional best on the spot. How do we keep this transition fast, energetic, and on time without forcing it?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The five-minute segue is designed to transition your team from working in the business to working on the business. When leaders arrive unprepared, resulting in long, awkward pauses while they search their minds for a personal or professional best, the positive energy of the meeting is destroyed before you even review the scorecard. This dead time is a symptom of poor discipline and a lack of respect for the meeting pulse.

To solve this, set a hard expectation that preparation for the Level 10 Meeting happens before the meeting begins, not during it. Every team member must spend five minutes prior to the start time reviewing their numbers, assessing their Rocks, and identifying their bests. If a leader still hesitates when it is their turn, the facilitator should simply move to the next person without waiting, returning to the silent leader at the end of the segue.

If the awkward silences continue, address this behavior directly outside of the meeting. It is not about forcing toxic positivity; it is about building the habit of scanning your world for wins and showing up ready to engage. You can also leverage simple tools like a shared digital workspace where team members can type their bests before the meeting starts. When the clock strikes, the segue should flow rapidly and naturally, setting a high-intensity, disciplined tone for the remaining eighty-five minutes of the meeting.