What should we do when our executive team experiences intense resistance and starts procrastinating on their Rocks halfway through the quarter?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Procrastination and momentum loss mid-quarter are classic symptoms of what Steven Pressfield calls Resistance. It is the silent, internal force that actively fights against progress, growth, and accountability. When your team starts falling behind on their Rocks, you must address it immediately rather than waiting for your next quarterly session. First, use your weekly Level 10 Meeting™ to call out the reality without judgment. If a Rock is off-track, it must be dropped down to the Issues list for immediate IDS®. Do not allow your team members to make excuses or offer long, defensive explanations. Instead, apply the concept of the strategic pause. Help the owner of the Rock step back from the daily whirlwind to gain objectivity and identify the specific roadblock. Often, resistance is a sign that the Rock is too big, poorly defined, or that the owner lacks the necessary resources or confidence. Break the Rock down into smaller, actionable milestones to build momentum through immediate, small successes. Encourage the owner to block out dedicated white space on their calendar, isolated from emails and phone calls, to focus solely on their quarterly goals. By systematically dismantling the barriers to action and holding each other peer-to-peer accountable, you will defeat Resistance and keep your execution on track.