If there’s one thing every business leader complains about, it’s meetings.
Too many. Too long. Too boring. And worst of all, they rarely get results.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked into a leadership team that’s meeting regularly but still feels stuck. Issues keep resurfacing. Priorities drift. Accountability slips. People walk out of the room frustrated, wondering why they wasted another hour of their lives.
Sound familiar?
That’s why EOS created the Level 10 Meeting. It’s not “just another meeting.” It’s a proven weekly rhythm that keeps your leadership team aligned, accountable, & focused on solving real issues.
What Is a Level 10 Meeting?
A Level 10 Meeting is a 90-minute weekly meeting for the leadership team. It follows the same agenda every time, designed to maximise focus, accountability & problem-solving.
Why is it called a “Level 10”?
Because at the end of each meeting, every participant rates it 1–10. The goal is to make every meeting so effective it earns a “10.”
This one discipline transforms the way teams meet. Instead of groaning at another wasted session, people leave saying: “That was the best meeting we’ve had all week.”
Why Most Meetings Fail
Before we dive into the Level 10, let’s get honest about why most meetings don’t work.
- No agenda – Meetings drift without structure.
- Too much reporting – Everyone shares updates, but nothing gets solved.
- Poor prioritisation – Urgent noise crowds out important issues.
- Lack of accountability – Decisions are made, but no one follows through.
- No rhythm – Meetings get cancelled, rescheduled, or run differently each time.
The result? Wasted time. Frustrated people. And zero progress.
The Level 10 was built to solve these exact problems.
The Level 10 Agenda
Every Level 10 Meeting follows the same simple, disciplined agenda. It might feel rigid at first, but the consistency is what makes it work.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Segue (5 minutes)
Start with a quick personal & business check-in. This isn’t small talk – it’s a deliberate way to connect as humans before diving into the work.
Example: share a family update, a quick win from the week, or something you’re proud of.
2. Scorecard (5 minutes)
Review your 5–15 key measurables. These aren’t vanity metrics – they’re the numbers that tell you if the business is on or off track. Each one has a weekly goal.
Example: “New leads generated – Goal 20 – This week 18 → Off track.”
3. Rock Review (5 minutes)
Check in on your quarterly Rocks. Each Rock is simply “on track” or “off track.” No long stories. If it’s off, drop it down to IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve).
4. People Headlines (5 minutes)
Share good or bad news about people in the business. Celebrate wins, highlight concerns, & spot issues before they snowball.
Example: “Sarah’s promotion went well” or “We’ve had two resignations in the warehouse team.”
5. To-Do List (5 minutes)
Review last week’s to-dos – the short-term actions that came out of IDS. Each should be 100% complete. No excuses.
6. IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) (60 minutes)
This is where the magic happens. The team lists all current issues, prioritises the top three, then solves them one at a time using the IDS method:
- Identify – Get to the real root cause.
- Discuss – Open, honest debate — no politics.
- Solve – Agree on the action that closes the issue for good.
Example: If customer complaints are rising, the root cause might be poor onboarding, not product quality. The solve? Redesign the onboarding process, with an owner & deadline.
7. Conclude (5 minutes)
End strong. Recap decisions, confirm new to-dos, discuss any cascading messages to the wider team, & rate the meeting 1–10.
Why Do Level 10 Meetings Work So Well?
Most meetings fail because they lack discipline. The Level 10 works because it enforces discipline.
- Same day, same time, same agenda – No reschedules, no surprises.
- Accountability built in – Rocks, Scorecards, & to-dos are reviewed weekly.
- Focus on problem-solving – 60 minutes of the agenda is IDS. That’s where traction comes from.
- Continuous improvement – The rating at the end forces the team to reflect & get better.
It’s simple, but it’s powerful.
Real-World Impact of Level 10s
I’ve seen Level 10s transform businesses that were drowning in unproductive meetings.
One professional services firm went from four-hour weekly meetings with no decisions to 90-minute Level 10s where issues got solved every week. Within six months, their Rock completion rate jumped from 40% to 90%.
Another family business used Level 10s to tackle conflict between siblings on the leadership team. The IDS process gave them a safe, structured way to solve issues without emotion taking over. They now describe Level 10s as the “glue” that holds them together.
That’s the beauty of EOS – simple tools, consistently applied, create massive change.
How Level 10s Build Accountability
Accountability is one of the hardest things to get right in a business. Most leaders don’t want to micro-manage, but without structure, things slip.
Level 10s solve this by creating a visible rhythm of accountability:
- Rocks are either on track or off track.
- Scorecard numbers are either hit or missed.
- To-dos are either complete or incomplete.
There’s no hiding. No grey areas. Just clarity.
And because it’s all reviewed by the team every week, accountability becomes cultural, not personal. It’s not one leader nagging. It’s the whole team holding each other to account.
Common Mistakes With Level 10s
When teams self-implement EOS, they often stumble with Level 10s. Here are the mistakes I see most:
- Not sticking to the agenda. The agenda is non-negotiable. Skip steps & the discipline unravels.
- Reporting instead of solving. The Scorecard, Rocks & to-dos are check-ins — not discussion time. Save deep dives for IDS.
- Avoiding honesty. A Level 10 only works if leaders admit what’s really off track.
- Solving everything. If you try to tackle every issue, you’ll solve none. Prioritise the top three.
- Skipping the rating. The 1–10 score is how the team gets better. Without it, meetings slip back into bad habits.
8 Frequently Asked Questions About Level 10 Meetings
1. What is a Level 10 Meeting?
It’s a structured, 90-minute weekly meeting for the leadership team, designed to align everyone, review progress, & solve issues.
2. Why is it called a Level 10?
Because every participant rates the meeting 1–10 at the end. The aim is to make every meeting so effective it earns a 10.
3. How is a Level 10 different from a normal meeting?
Normal meetings often waste time. Level 10s follow a strict agenda, spend most of the time solving issues, & hold everyone accountable.
4. Who should attend a Level 10?
The leadership team runs the company-level Level 10. Once it’s working well, departments can roll out their own.
5. How long should a Level 10 last?
Exactly 90 minutes. Any shorter & you’ll rush issues. Any longer & you’ll lose focus.
6. Can Level 10s work for remote teams?
Absolutely. Many of my clients run Level 10s over Zoom or Teams. The key is discipline – cameras on, agenda followed, rating at the end.
7. What’s the biggest mistake with Level 10s?
Turning them into report-outs instead of problem-solving sessions. The magic is in IDS – Identify, Discuss, Solve.
8. How soon do you see results from Level 10s?
Usually within a month. Teams feel more aligned, issues get solved faster, & accountability improves almost immediately.
Final Thought
Level 10 Meetings are deceptively simple. But they’re one of the most powerful habits in EOS.
They take meetings from painful to productive. From time-wasting to problem-solving. From “not another meeting” to the highlight of the week.
When teams master Level 10s, everything changes. Issues get solved at the root. Priorities stay on track. People are accountable. And the business finally gets traction.
As Gino Wickman says: “Vision without Traction is hallucination.”
If your meetings are draining energy instead of driving progress, maybe it’s time to try a Level 10.
📩 Want to experience what a real Level 10 feels like? Email me at debra@businessaction.com.au & let’s talk.
📅 Or book a free clarity call to talk about how EOS can strengthen your business from the inside out.
Written by Debra Chantry-Taylor, FBA Accredited Family Business Advisor, Certified EOS Implementer & Founder of Business Action.
Business Action is focused on helping Entrepreneurs lead better lives, through creating a better business. We have a small team of accredited family business advisors, EOS Implementers & Leadership coaches, as well as access to a huge range of advisors through our Trusted Partners Network.
