A Level 10 Meeting™ is a structured, weekly team meeting that improves organizational communication, accountability, and problem-solving. The concept originates from the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®), a business framework that helps companies streamline their operations.

Level 10 Meetings™ follow a standardized agenda to ensure teams stay focused, aligned, and productive. The name “Level 10” comes from the goal of achieving a perfect 10 out of 10 rating from participants, ensuring that meetings are truly valuable and practical.

 

Why Are Level 10 Meetings™ Important?

Many organizations struggle with meetings that feel unproductive, run too long, or fail to address key business challenges. Level 10 Meetings™ solve these common issues by:

  • Ensuring consistency: A structured agenda prevents unnecessary discussions and keeps the team focused on critical priorities.
  • Encouraging accountability: Team members report on their commitments, ensuring that action items are completed.
  • Promoting efficiency: Discussions remain sharp and productive by limiting the meeting to 90 minutes.
  • Encourages problem-solving: The Issues List section allows teams to tackle roadblocks in a structured way.
  • Improving team alignment: Everyone stays informed about company goals, key metrics, and team priorities.

 

The Level 10 Meeting™ Agenda

A Level 10 Meeting™ follows a set agenda to maximize productivity. Each section has a clear purpose and time limit, ensuring that discussions stay focused. The agenda consists of:

1. Segue

The meeting starts with a quick check-in, during which team members share positive updates—both personal and professional. This creates a positive atmosphere and strengthens team relationships.

2. Scorecard Review

The team reviews key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that track progress toward company goals. If a metric is off-track, it is noted but not discussed immediately—instead, it moves to the Issues List for later resolution.

3. Rock Review

“Rocks” are major business priorities set for a specific period (usually 90 days). Each team member updates the group on whether their assigned rocks are on or off track.

4. Customer/Employee Headlines

This section provides a chance to share important news related to customers or employees. Positive updates, challenges, or urgent issues can be noted for further discussion if needed.

5. To-Do List Review

The team reviews action items assigned in the last meeting. Completed tasks are checked off, and any incomplete items are reassigned or added to the Issues List for discussion.

6. Issues List & IDS

This is the core of the meeting. The Issues List contains challenges, roadblocks, and opportunities that need attention. The team follows the IDS™ process:

  • Identify: Define the real issue behind a problem.
  • Discuss: Have an open and honest conversation to explore solutions.
  • Solve: Decide on an action step to resolve the issue.

Only the top three most important issues are addressed in each meeting to maintain focus.

7. Conclude & Rate the Meeting (5 minutes)

The meeting ends with:

  • Assigning new to-dos based on discussions.
  • Recapping decisions and commitments.
  • Please rate the meeting on a scale of 1 to 10. If it’s not a 10, team members should explain why so future meetings can improve.

 

Best Practices for Running a Successful Level 10 Meeting™

To ensure that a Level 10 Meeting™ is productive and valuable, teams should follow these best practices:

1. Start and End on Time
A 90-minute time limit keeps discussions focused. Meetings should start on time, even if some members are late, to encourage punctuality.

2. Follow the Agenda Strictly
Avoid going off-track. If a discussion isn’t relevant to the current section, move it to the Issues List for later resolution.

3. Keep Updates Brief
Sections like the Scorecard Review, Rock Review, and Headlines should be short and direct—if an issue needs a deeper discussion, it should be handled in the IDS session.

4. Solve, Don’t Just Discuss
Many meetings drag on without decisions. The IDS™ process ensures that teams don’t just talk about problems—they actively resolve them with clear action steps.

5. Assign Ownership for Action Items
Every to-do or decision should have a clear owner responsible for execution before the next meeting.

 

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Meetings Feel Too Rushed
If the 90-minute format feels tight, ensure that discussions are concise and to the point. Keep updates factual, not conversational.

2. Too Many Issues to Address
Prioritize only the top three most urgent issues each week. Other concerns can be tackled in future meetings.

3. Low Engagement from Team Members
Encourage active participation by assigning team members specific roles, such as timekeeping or note-taking. If engagement remains low, discuss the root cause in an IDS session.

4. Poor Meeting Ratings
If meetings consistently score below 8, analyze what’s not working—is the agenda being followed? Are issues being solved effectively? Adjust the process accordingly.

 

Benefits of Implementing Level 10 Meetings™

When executed correctly, Level 10 Meetings™ bring significant benefits to businesses and teams:

  • Greater accountability: Team members take ownership of their commitments.
  • Better decision-making: Structured discussions lead to faster and more effective solutions.
  • Stronger alignment: Everyone is on the same page regarding company goals and priorities.
  • Improved efficiency: Less time wasted on unproductive or unfocused meetings.
  • Stronger team collaboration: Encourages open communication and teamwork.