How do you solve Issue for good, so that they don’t come back to haunt you?
The answer is the IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) Track during your weekly Level 10 EOS meeting:
Identify
Get down to the root of the issue by asking ‘Why?’ multiple times until you uncover the underlying cause. Avoid going on tangents and stay focused on the core problem. For example, if an employee’s performance is lacking, ask why repeatedly to discover deeper issues such as conflicting priorities or unclear roles.
Discuss
Ensure everyone has a chance to discuss the issue, but avoid repeating points already made. This step is crucial for building clarity and team buy-in – essential for Commitment as part of Five Behaviors. Remember, discussing the issue thoroughly often leads to identifying additional underlying problems. Another caution – avoid jumping to solutions until the issue is fully understood.
Solve
Aim for 80% agreement, not consensus, to make the issue go away forever. Creativity in finding solutions is encouraged, but sometimes further research and information gathering are necessary. Assign clear, actionable to-dos with accountable owners to ensure implementation. If a task requires more time or effort, consider turning it into a Rock.
Dig Deep on Issues First
The IDS track is a straightforward tool, but when used properly it can be extremely effective. Many teams never really identify the key issue or issues at hand – they solve problems at the surface level, and the root issues persists, causing more problems. As a team, continue to ask “Why?” until you get to the root cause of the problem. Often, one issue, when properly explored, will really be several issues that have resulted in one common problem. For example, a company may have an issue with the performance of an employee – but when they keep asking why, they discover:
- The employee reports to two managers with conflicting priorities
- The employee does not have a clear role and accountabilities, making it hard to hold them accountable
- There is no feedback and performance review process, so manager concerns have gone uncommunicated and unaddressed
When properly implemented, the IDS track can accelerate solving issues and moving the business forward. If you are looking for facilitation to help you process your issues, reach out to Roc Advisors today!