The Level 10 Meeting structure, part of the EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework, helps teams streamline communication, solve big issues, and keep everyone aligned with the company’s vision.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Level 10 Meetings so effective, break down their agenda, and discuss how you can make the most of them to drive success in your business.
What is a Level 10 Meeting?
A Level 10 Meeting is a structured, 90-minute weekly meeting that brings together your leadership team to review progress, address critical issues, and align on top priorities.
Unlike traditional meetings, which often lack structure and focus, these meetings have a specific agenda designed to maximize productivity and accountability.
Each meeting is scored by attendees on a scale of 1 to 10, with a 10 representing an ideal, productive meeting.
The goal? To score a perfect 10 every week by following the L10 meeting structure closely.
By keeping the team focused on the most pressing issues, a L10 Meeting ensures that time spent together drives real progress toward the company’s mission.
Why Follow the EOS Meeting Structure?
If you’ve ever sat in a meeting and wondered, “What’s the point?” you’re not alone.
Research shows that many employees view up to 50% of meetings as unproductive.
The EOS meeting structure tackles this issue head-on. By giving each part of the meeting a purpose and time limit, L10 Meetings keep the team moving forward efficiently.
When you follow the EOS meeting structure, you’re giving your team a roadmap for accountability and focus.
Instead of wasting time on irrelevant updates or side topics, each meeting centers on driving real progress.
And for growing companies, staying focused on the big picture and priorities is critical for reaching your goals.
Why Follow the EOS Meeting Structure?
If you’ve ever sat in a meeting and wondered, “What’s the point?” you’re not alone.
Research shows that many employees view up to 50% of meetings as unproductive. The EOS meeting structure tackles this issue head-on.
By giving each part of the meeting a purpose and time limit, L10 Meetings keep the team moving forward efficiently.
When you follow the EOS meeting structure, you’re giving your team a roadmap for accountability and focus. Instead of wasting time on irrelevant updates or side topics, each meeting centers on driving real progress.
And for growing companies, staying focused on the big picture and priorities is critical for reaching your goals.
5 Essential Rules for a Productive L10 Meeting
1. Meet on the same day each week
Consistency is key. Scheduling the L10 meeting for the same day and time each week builds routine, making it easier for everyone to prioritize and prepare.
At Whale 🐳 , we start our Mondays with our Level 10 Meetings, making sure we’re ready for UBER productivity for the week!
When a new team member starts, we occasionally host a breakfast BEFORE we start but we keep our meetings on the same day each week and same time. No excuses!
2. Meet on the Same Time Each Week
But one of the first rules of a successful Level 10 Meeting is to stick to a set meeting time and not cave to anyone else’s busy schedule. The moment you do, your meeting loses its importance and becomes something your team will think they can bail on whenever they have something else to do that feels more important.
At Whale 🐳 , you’ll find that Monday mornings are Level 10 Meetings. 10am for marketing, 11am for product and so we go!
3. Start on time each week
Respecting everyone’s time boosts morale and shows that each person’s schedule is valued. Sticking to the 90-minute limit also helps the meeting stay productive.
At Whale 🐳 , we have a rule. If you’re on time, you’re late, and five minutes early is on time.
4. End on time each week
You have to respect people’s time. And the only way to do that is to have the discipline to stick to your timings.
Setting out your expectations and intentions is essential here. For example, if your first Level 10 Meeting starts late and runs over by 30 minutes, that’s what your attendees will remember.
At Whale 🐳 we HAVE to end our meetings on time in order to start the next one on time.
5. Stick to the same agenda
The whole purpose of the Level 10 Meeting is to keep you on task, focused on the big issues, and pressing forward towards that vision.
It may be tempting, but the agenda is there for a reason — stick to it.
Good questions, let’s check ’em out. 🧐
At Whale 🐳, in accordance with the general Level 10 Meeting structure, we have check-in followed by our scorecard, followed by our rocks, and then onto headlines, to-dos and issues. Then it’s time to close to action that to-do list!
Sticking to the same agenda each week makes each meeting UBER productive!
The Level 10 Meeting Agenda
Each section of the agenda has a purpose and helps keep the meeting on track:
- Check-in (5 minutes): A quick personal and professional update from each person to kick things off.
- Scorecard Review (5 minutes): Run through key metrics and KPIs to see if you’re on track.
- Rock Review (5 minutes): Briefly update on quarterly priorities, known as Rocks, to ensure alignment.
- People Headlines (5 minutes): Share any major team or customer news—celebrate wins or flag issues.
- To-Do List Review (5 minutes): Confirm action items from the last meeting are completed.
- Issues List (60 minutes): The heart of the meeting, where the team addresses and solves pressing issues.
- Wrap-Up (5 minutes): Review next steps, assign tasks, and score the meeting.
This L10 agenda is designed to move quickly through updates and focus on solving big challenges. By sticking to these seven steps, the team stays accountable and ensures the meeting is valuable to everyone involved.
The key to ultimate Level 10 Meeting productivity: Process🚀
At Whale, we’re ALL about process! If you don’t have a process it isn’t repeatable and it can’t be a lever in your business.
So there’s one final thing to think about before you send out those Level 10 Meeting invites: the processes you’ll need to succeed.
By identifying and documenting your Level 10 Meetings processes, you have the opportunity to use your SOPs to boost your ROI tangibly.
Do it right, and each department, team, and project group can host their uber-efficient
Level 10 Meeting — cutting the problem-solving time down at every level and maximizing your resources and shared knowledge across the business.
Ready to document your Level 10 Meeting SOPs? Start here:
- Scheduling and Invites: Set the same day, time, and attendees.
- Scorecard Metrics: Define which KPIs should be tracked and shared.
- Setting Rocks: Outline a process for setting quarterly Rocks to keep everyone aligned.
- Action Items: Set up a system to document, assign, and track to-dos.
- Issues Resolution: Define a clear process for tackling the Issues List.
- Follow-Up and Cascading: Create a process for sharing meeting highlights with the rest of the team.
- What if you repeatedly go over time? What processes do you have in place?
The right processes, documented in the right place, and easily accessible to all means your Level 10 Meetings can be easily scaled company-wide.
The Role of Process in a Successful L10 Meeting Structure
In Level 10 Meetings, having clear processes is key to achieving repeatable success. Processes make it easy to stay on track, align on goals, and hold each other accountable. By creating and sticking to a well-defined L10 meeting structure, your team can consistently drive meaningful results.
Processes also support growth. As new team members join, a documented Level 10 Meeting agenda and SOPs ensure that everyone knows what’s expected. This helps scale productivity and keeps meetings efficient, even as the organization expands.
Should You Start Implementing Level 10 Meetings in Your Business?
If your team spends hours in meetings without real results, it’s time to give the Level 10 Meeting a try.
These meetings aren’t just about getting people in a room—they’re about creating outcomes that drive your business forward.
From focusing on the big issues to boosting accountability, Level 10 Meetings are a game-changer for growing businesses.
Ready to make your meetings more productive and impactful? Give the Level 10 Meeting agenda a shot, stick to the structure, and see how it transforms your team’s focus and results.
After all, meetings should be more than just a calendar item—they should be the moments that move your business toward its vision.
FAQs about Level 10 meeting
Why is it called a Level 10 (L10) meeting?
The term "L10" in the context of a Level 10 Meeting refers to a specific format and structure of meetings that are part of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). EOS is a set of concepts and tools designed to help entrepreneurs and business leaders get what they want from their businesses by creating clarity, generating real traction, and fostering a healthy team culture.
A Level 10 Meeting, as prescribed by EOS, is structured to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness, allowing teams to address issues head-on, track progress, and stay aligned with the company’s core goals. The "10" in L10 stands for the goal of making the meeting so productive and engaging that participants would rate it a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.
How do I prepare for a L10 meeting?
Preparing effectively for a Level 10 Meeting within the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework is essential to maximize its benefits. Here are some key steps to ensure you are well-prepared:
1. Set Personal and Professional Good News
- Reflect on any positive developments or achievements, both in your personal life and professionally, that you can share during the Segue section of the meeting.
2. Review Previous Action Items
- Start by reviewing the action items assigned to you from the last meeting. Ensure that you have made significant progress or completed them. Be ready to update the team on your progress or explain any delays.
3. Gather and Analyze Data for the Scorecard
- Collect all relevant data and metrics that you are responsible for reporting on the scorecard. Analyze the data for trends or issues that may need to be addressed during the meeting.
4. Update Your Rocks
- Review the progress of your quarterly priorities or "Rocks". Be prepared to discuss any obstacles you’re facing and consider if you need support from the team to overcome them.
5. Compile Customer and Employee Headlines
- If you have any significant news about customers or employees, gather the details. This could include positive feedback, a major complaint, a significant achievement, or an issue that needs to be addressed.
6. Identify and Prioritize Issues
- Think about any issues you’ve encountered since the last meeting that need to be discussed. Use the EOS "IDS" (Identify, Discuss, Solve) process to start thinking about these issues critically. Prioritize the issues you believe are most important to address.
7. Prepare Your Mindset
- A positive and constructive attitude is crucial. Consider any feedback or difficult conversations you may need to have and approach them with a solution-focused mindset.
8. Gather Necessary Documents or Reports
- Prepare any documents, reports, or presentations you need to share during the meeting. Ensure they are clear and concise to facilitate effective discussion.
9. Think About Your Contributions to Conclude
- Consider what messages, if any, you need to cascade to your team or department after the meeting. Also, think about how you will rate the meeting and any feedback you might have to make it more effective.
By thoroughly preparing for a Level 10 Meeting, you contribute to its effectiveness and ensure that the time spent is productive.
How often should a Level 10 Meeting be held?
A Level 10 Meeting should ideally be held once a week. Weekly meetings help teams stay aligned, address issues promptly, and maintain momentum on ongoing projects. Consistency is key to maximizing the meeting’s effectiveness and ensuring that team members remain engaged and accountable.
Key Terms & Further Reading on SOPs for Level 10 Meeting
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