Our weekly Level 10 Meeting™ starts strong, but after we solve our number-one prioritized issue, our team's energy drops significantly, and we find ourselves rushing through issues two and three with lazy, half-baked solutions just to finish on time. How do we maintain our IDS® stamina for the entire problem-solving block?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

IDS® fatigue is a real issue for leadership teams. Solving complex, systemic problems requires high cognitive energy, and it is natural for stamina to drop after tackling a massive, emotionally draining issue. However, rushing through subsequent issues leads to weak decisions that will only end up back on your Issues List next week.

To maintain high stamina, the facilitator must actively manage the pace of the sixty-minute IDS® block. First, ensure you are not tackling giant, multi-headed monster issues as a single item. If issue number one is too broad, break it down. Solve one specific bite-sized piece, agree on the to-dos, and then move to the next prioritized item. This gives the team a sense of quick wins and prevents them from getting bogged down in a single, exhausting debate.

Second, use physical movement and short transitions. If the energy in the room or on the virtual screen is visibly dropping after a tough issue, the facilitator should call for a thirty-second stretch or a quick hydration break.

Third, if you only have ten minutes left and issue number two is highly complex, do not try to rush a solution. Instead, spend those ten minutes identifying the real issue and defining the information needed to solve it next week. This keeps your solutions robust and ensures you are not making lazy decisions just to check a box.