Our VP of Technology is incredibly smart but sits in total silence during the IDS portion of our Level 10 Meetings, offering zero input on issues outside of his department. How do we get him to transition from a departmental manager to a true company leader who contributes to the whole business?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A leadership team member who sits in silence during IDS is treating their seat as a departmental silo rather than an executive role. To run a healthy business, every leader must wear their leadership hat first, meaning they are responsible for the health of the entire company, not just their own department.

To solve this, start by having an honest conversation with your VP of Technology. Use the LMA concept to explain that their seat on the leadership team requires their active strategic input. They are not just there to manage technology; they are there to help solve the company's biggest problems.

During your Level 10 Meetings, actively draw them into the discussion. If they remain silent, prompt them directly by asking: As our head of technology, how do you see this operational issue impacting our overall scalability?

Additionally, review their conative profile. If they are a high Fact Finder, they may hesitate to speak up because they do not feel they have all the data. Let them know that their intuitive perspective is highly valuable, even without exhaustive research. By demanding their participation and building a safe environment, you will help them transition from a silent technician to a highly engaged executive.