During our remote Level 10 Meetings, it is obvious that several team members are actively multitasking, answering client emails, or replying to internal messages on other screens rather than staying focused on our active IDS discussions. How do we eliminate this distraction and keep everyone locked in?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Multitasking during a remote Level 10 Meeting™ is a silent killer of execution. When leaders are answering emails, checking Slack, or reviewing documents on another screen, they are only giving fifty percent of their brainpower to the business. This is why issues take twice as long to solve and solutions are poorly designed.

To kill this waste, you must implement a strict "single-screen, no multitasking" policy. Every team member must turn off all notifications, close their email clients, and put their phones on do-not-disturb mode before the meeting starts. The only screen open should be the meeting interface and the shared document or software containing the scorecard and issues.

Additionally, the facilitator must keep the pace incredibly fast. When the meeting drags, people naturally drift to other tabs. Call on people randomly during IDS® to keep them on their toes.

If you suspect someone is multitasking, call them out on it in real time. A simple, "You seem distracted, are you with us?" is usually enough to reset the expectation. If the behavior continues, it becomes a core values issue regarding respect and accountability, which must be addressed outside the meeting.