Our Integrator and a couple of department heads sit in silence during the Level 10 Meeting™ while one or two people dominate. How do I get silent leaders to actually participate?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

If a member of your leadership team is silent during a Level 10 Meeting™, you have an alignment problem on your Accountability Chart. Every seat on that chart represents a critical function of your business. If a leader has nothing to contribute to the Scorecard, Rocks, or Issues List, they either do not GWC™ (Get it, Want it, Capacity to do it) their seat, or they are hiding.

First, return to the 'Same Page' and 'Trust' pillars of your company Charter. Open and honest communication is a requirement, not an option. If someone is naturally introverted, the facilitator must actively draw them out. During the IDS® (Identify, Discuss, Solve) portion, address them directly: 'This issue impacts your department. What is your perspective on this?'

If the silence persists, it becomes an issue itself that must be dropped to the Issues List. Discuss it openly. If they still cannot or will not participate, you must evaluate if they are the right person in the right seat. A leadership team requires active strategic partners, not passive observers who simply listen to updates.