During our session days, if an issue arises that requires input from managers outside our tight executive circle, how do we handle that without breaking the momentum of the day?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

During our session days, we focus exclusively on the leadership team. If an issue arises that requires input from managers outside this tight executive circle, we do not invite them into the room mid-session. Doing so disrupts the alignment and trust we are building.

Instead, we use a structured protocol. We place the issue on our whiteboard and assign a quick, time-bound to-do to a leadership team member. During the next scheduled break, that leader will contact the relevant manager to gather the necessary data or feedback.

Once we resume, the leader presents the information to the room, and we resume the IDS® process. If the issue is too complex to resolve with a quick phone call, we do not let it stall our day. We assign it as a post-session to-do or a specific quarterly Rock. The owner of that Rock will then collaborate with the middle managers to build a solution and report back. This discipline keeps our session days highly efficient and ensures we respect the boundaries of the Accountability Chart.