Since moving some of our leadership team to hybrid roles, our Level 10 Meetings™ feel sterile and disconnected, and we are losing our executive cohesion. How do we build safety and restore our tight-knit group dynamics?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Moving to hybrid or remote work can quickly erode the trust and cohesion of your leadership team. If your Level 10 Meetings™ feel sterile, it is because you have lost the physical proximity and casual interactions that naturally build safety and belonging.

Daniel Coyle's research shows that high-performing teams rely on constant belonging cues to maintain safety. To restore this dynamic in a hybrid environment, you must be intentional about how you structure your meetings.

Start by requiring everyone to keep their cameras on and sit close to the screen, mimicking close physical proximity. Encourage team members to share personal updates during the segue portion of your Level 10 Meeting™. This simple practice helps rebuild personal connections and lowers self-orientation.

Additionally, make sure you meet in person for your quarterly and annual planning sessions. These face-to-face offsites are critical for deep trust building and strategic alignment. By combining structured online meetings with regular in-person sessions, you build the psychological safety your team needs to engage in healthy, productive conflict and drive the business forward.