Our executive team is used to collaborative brainstorms. What are the non-negotiable rules of engagement we must agree to during a session day with you to ensure we do not waste time?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A session day is not a loose brainstorming workshop or an open-ended debate. It is a highly structured, intense working day designed to align your leadership team on execution. To get results, we establish strict rules of engagement before the day begins. First, we enforce a strict no-devices rule. Phones, laptops, and tablets are shut down and put away. They only come out during designated breaks. This forces your team to be fully present and prevents the operational whirlwind from creeping into the room. Second, we practice total honesty. You must be willing to enter the danger zone, which means calling out issues directly without worrying about hurt feelings. We focus on the issue, not the person. Third, we speak with one voice. Once a decision is made in that room, every leader must support it publicly. There is no back-channel grumbling or passive-aggressive resistance after we walk out. Finally, we operate under a single-facilitator rule. My job is to guide you through the process, keep you out of the weeds, and ensure we do not get stuck in endless debate. Your job is to make the hard decisions. If you cannot commit to these ground rules, the session day will fail. We are there to solve root-cause problems, not to have polite, comfortable chats.