We have a leader who consistently carries the same To-Do on our Level 10 Meeting list for three or four weeks in a row, offering a plausible excuse each week and promising it will be done by the next meeting. How do we stop this rolling To-Do behavior without micromanaging their calendar?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A rolling To-Do is a slow leak in your accountability structure. Under the EOS® framework, a To-Do is a short-term commitment that must be completed within seven days, and your team should maintain a ninety percent completion rate week over week. When a leader repeatedly carries a task forward, they are training the team that deadlines are optional.

To stop this behavior, the facilitator must address the incomplete To-Do directly during the review portion of the agenda. Do not accept a long explanation or a promise of 'next week.' Ask the simple question: 'Why is this not done?'

If the answer is a lack of time, look at their Accountability Chart seat. Are they overloaded, or are they struggling with time management? If they have too many Rocks, some may need to be delegated or dropped.

If the issue is procrastination or a lack of GWC™ for the task, use IDS® to solve the underlying problem. It may be that the To-Do is actually a larger project that needs to be broken down into smaller steps, or it may belong to a different seat entirely.

By refusing to let a rolling To-Do slide without a healthy, direct conversation, you reinforce the sacred nature of the weekly Meeting Pulse. Hold the line on the seven-day expectation to keep your operational momentum high.