One of our department heads only participates in IDS® when the issue directly touches their department, sitting in complete silence when other operational issues are debated. How do we break this silo mentality during our Level 10 Meeting™?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

In any business running on EOS®, the leadership team is one team first, functional department heads second. When a team member sits in silence during IDS® unless the issue directly impacts their department, they are operating with a silo mentality. This violates the Same Page and Trust pillars of a healthy leadership team charter.

To break this behavior, the facilitator must call them out directly during the meeting. Ask them for their perspective as a business leader, not just as the head of their department. Remind them that their seat on the leadership team means they are responsible for the health of the entire organization, not just their functional area.

If they struggle to contribute because they lack context, that is an opportunity for education. If they refuse to engage because they do not care about other departments, you have a GWC™ or a Core Values issue. They must want the seat, understand the seat, and have the capacity to think strategically across the entire company. Do not allow anyone to sit in silence and treat the weekly Level 10 Meeting™ as a spectator sport.