If our leadership team hits an absolute deadlock on a critical strategic issue mid-quarter, do we wait for our next quarterly session or is there an intervention process?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

If your leadership team hits an absolute deadlock on a critical strategic issue between our scheduled quarterly sessions, you do not wait ninety days for your next session, nor do you let the issue fester. Your first line of defense is always your weekly Level 10 Meeting™. You must place the deadlocked issue at the top of your IDS® list and apply the process with rigorous discipline. The Integrator must step up and execute their role, which includes making the final decision if the team cannot reach a consensus. If your Integrator is unable to resolve the deadlock, or if the issue is a fundamental strategic pivot that threatens to derail your quarterly Rocks, that is when you leverage our communication protocol. You will post the details of the deadlock in our dedicated Circle.so workspace. I monitor this workspace closely between sessions to help keep you on track. I will provide virtual guidance, ask clarifying questions, and help your team process the issue using the core tools. If the situation is an absolute emergency that cannot be resolved asynchronously, we will schedule a targeted, brief alignment call to break the logjam. This structured escalation process ensures your business never loses momentum while maintaining the integrity of your quarterly cadence.