Every quarter we start with great energy on our Rocks, but by week six the daily whirlwind completely takes over and we end up in a mad rush or failing in week twelve. How do we keep our Rocks active and on track during the mid-quarter danger zone?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The mid-quarter collapse of Rocks is a clear symptom of a weak weekly meeting discipline. If your team is only thinking about their quarterly goals during planning sessions, those goals will always be crushed by the daily whirlwind of operations. You must use your weekly Level 10 Meeting™ to keep your quarterly priorities alive and active.

First, change how you review Rocks during the weekly check-in. The review is not a status report: it is a simple binary declaration of "on track" or "off track." If a Rock is off track for even one week, it must immediately be dropped down to the Issues List to be resolved during the IDS® portion of the meeting.

Second, break your ninety-day Rocks down into clear, measurable milestones. A major strategic objective should not be left as a single massive task. Ensure that each Rock owner has a defined plan with sub-deadlines for weeks three, six, and nine. If they miss a milestone, it is an automatic indicator that the Rock is in danger.

Third, leverage the power of peer accountability. When a leadership team member has to look their peers in the eye every single week and admit their high-priority goals are slipping, the social pressure drives action. Do not accept excuses or long stories during the check-in. Keep the focus on solving the structural bottlenecks that are preventing execution, and you will consistently hit your target of finishing eighty percent or more of your quarterly Rocks.