What is a Level 10 Meeting?
A Level 10 Meeting is a key part of the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS). It's a weekly team meeting that aims to solve problems and keep everyone on track. The ""10"" in the name stands for the highest level of effectiveness a meeting can have.
How Level 10 Meetings Work
Level 10 Meetings follow a set structure:
- Segue (5 minutes): Team members share good news to start the meeting on a positive note.
- Scorecard Review (5 minutes): The team looks at key numbers to check progress.
- Rock Review (5 minutes): ""Rocks"" are big goals. The team checks if these goals are on track.
- Customer/Employee Headlines (5 minutes): The team shares important updates about customers and staff.
- To-Do List (5 minutes): The team reviews tasks from last week and marks them as done or not done.
- Issues List (60 minutes): This is the main part of the meeting. The team lists problems, picks the top three, and works to solve them.
- Conclude (5 minutes): The meeting ends with a recap of decisions and new to-dos.
Why Level 10 Meetings Matter
Level 10 Meetings help teams:
- Stay focused on what's important
- Solve problems faster
- Keep everyone in the loop
- Make better use of time
These meetings are a core part of EOS. They help businesses run smoother and grow faster.
Tips for Effective Level 10 Meetings
To get the most out of Level 10 Meetings:
- Start and end on time
- Stick to the agenda
- Focus on solving problems, not just talking about them
- Make sure everyone takes part
- Keep track of decisions and follow up on them
Common Challenges with Level 10 Meetings
Some teams struggle with:
- Staying on topic
- Solving issues in the allotted time
- Getting everyone to speak up
To fix these problems, teams can:
- Use a timer to keep the meeting moving
- Practice problem-solving skills
- Encourage quieter team members to share their thoughts
Level 10 Meetings vs. Traditional Meetings
Level 10 Meetings are different from regular meetings in a few key ways:
- They have a set structure
- They focus on solving problems, not just sharing info
- They happen every week at the same time
- They aim to be highly effective (hence the ""10"" in the name)
How Level 10 Meetings Fit into EOS
EOS is a set of simple tools that help businesses run better. Level 10 Meetings are one of these tools. They work with other EOS tools like:
- The Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO): This sets the company's long-term goals
- Rocks: These are the big goals for each quarter
- The Issues List: This is where problems are tracked
Level 10 Meetings help teams stay on top of these other tools and make sure the business is moving in the right direction.
Measuring the Success of Level 10 Meetings
To know if Level 10 Meetings are working, teams can look at:
- How many issues they solve each week
- If they're hitting their goals (Rocks)
- If key numbers (Scorecard) are improving
- How team members feel about the meetings
If these things are getting better, it's a sign that the Level 10 Meetings are working well.
Adapting Level 10 Meetings for Different Teams
While the basic structure of Level 10 Meetings stays the same, teams can adjust them to fit their needs. For example:
- Smaller teams might spend less time on some sections
- Teams with specific challenges might add extra time for certain parts
- Remote teams might use video calls and online tools to run the meetings
The key is to keep the core ideas of the meeting while making it work for your team.
Training Your Team for Level 10 Meetings
To get your team ready for Level 10 Meetings:
- Explain why these meetings are important
- Go over the structure and rules
- Practice running a few meetings
- Ask for feedback and make changes as needed
It might take a few weeks for everyone to get used to the new format, but most teams find it very helpful once they do.
Level 10 Meetings and Company Culture
Level 10 Meetings can have a big impact on how a company works. They can:
- Improve communication between team members
- Create a culture of problem-solving
- Help everyone feel more connected to the company's goals
- Make the workplace more positive and productive
Over time, these meetings can help shape a strong, effective company culture.
Tools and Resources for Level 10 Meetings
To run good Level 10 Meetings, teams might use:
- A timer to keep the meeting on track
- A whiteboard or shared screen for the Issues List
- Meeting software for remote teams
- EOS software to track Rocks, Scorecards, and other tools
EOS offers training and resources to help teams get better at these meetings.
Level 10 Meetings in Different Industries
While Level 10 Meetings were first used in small to medium-sized businesses, they can work in many types of organizations. For example:
- Tech startups use them to stay agile and solve problems fast
- Service businesses use them to improve customer satisfaction
- Manufacturing companies use them to streamline operations
The key is to adapt the meeting to fit the specific needs of the industry while keeping the core structure intact.
Conclusion
Level 10 Meetings are a powerful tool for any team that wants to work better together. They help solve problems, keep everyone on the same page, and drive the business forward. While they take some getting used to, most teams find that these meetings make a big difference in how well they work. By sticking to the structure and focusing on results, teams can turn their weekly meetings from a chore into a key driver of success.
