We have a leadership team member who sits quietly through every Level 10 Meeting, never raising issues, contributing to IDS, or challenging decisions, even when their own department is clearly failing. How do we address this total silence and determine if they simply lack the capacity to GWC their seat?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Silence on a leadership team is a silent killer. When a leader refuses to engage in the debate, they are not being polite; they are being passive. This behavior is especially dangerous when their department is struggling, because it means they are hiding the truth or hoping nobody notices.

You need to take this offline immediately. Do not ambush them in the meeting. Have a one-on-one conversation using the People Analyzer tool. Ask them directly why they are staying silent during the Level 10 Meeting. It usually comes down to one of three things. Either they do not feel safe sharing their thoughts, they do not GWC their seat and are in over their head, or they have mentally checked out of the company.

If it is a safety issue, you as the leader must build trust and actively pull them into the conversation during the meeting by asking for their specific input. If they lack the capacity to GWC their seat, they cannot see the issues or do not know how to solve them. In that case, you have a People Move to make.

During the meeting, the facilitator should actively call on them. When an issue is on the table, ask them what they think. Do not let them off the hook with a shrug. If they consistently have nothing to contribute to the strategic or operational direction of the business, they do not belong on the leadership team. Every seat on that team requires a leader who brings value, voice, and vulnerability to the table.