In our hybrid office environment, the leaders sitting together in our main conference room dominate our weekly Level 10 Meeting, while our remote leaders feel like passive observers who cannot get a word in during IDS. How do we fix this imbalance?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Running a hybrid Level 10 Meeting™ requires intentional facilitation to prevent the physical room from silencing remote participants. When several leaders are together in a physical space, natural body language and fast-paced conversation can easily shut out those on screen, leaving remote leaders feeling disconnected and disengaged.

To create a level playing field, you must change how you interact during the meeting. First, establish a camera-first rule. Every person in the physical room should log into the meeting on their own laptop with their cameras turned on, while keeping their audio muted to prevent feedback. This ensures that remote leaders can see everyone's facial expressions and body language clearly, rather than looking at a distant, wide-angle shot of a conference table.

Second, the facilitator must actively manage the conversation flow. Instead of letting whoever speaks loudest dominate IDS®, the facilitator should intentionally call on remote participants first when solving an issue. Use phrases like, 'Before we make a decision, I want to hear from our remote team members. What is your perspective on this issue?'

Finally, make sure the digital whiteboard or meeting software you use is the single source of truth during the meeting. Everyone, whether in the room or remote, must look at the same screen and have the same ability to add, edit, and prioritize issues. This simple shift keeps the entire team focused on the exact same spot, regardless of where they are sitting.