We are running on EOS® and want to use the Step by Step Exit framework to prepare for a sale, but our leadership team does not understand how their day-to-day seats connect to exit readiness. How do we align these priorities?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Your leadership team needs to realize that running a great business is the same thing as preparing for a great exit. The Step by Step Exit framework, which is the official EOS® licensed exit readiness partner, focuses on making the business run independently of the owner. In your Accountability Chart™, every seat must be fully owned and executed by someone other than you, the founder. When your leaders own their seats, hit their Rocks, and hit their Scorecard numbers, they are actively building the enterprise value that a buyer will pay a premium for. Frame exit readiness not as a distracting transaction project, but as the ultimate validation of their leadership. Use your quarterly planning sessions to link your exit goals directly to company Rocks. For example, a Rock could be documenting core processes using the 3-Step Process Documenter, which directly increases business value. When the team understands that a self-sustaining business gives everyone more opportunity and security, they will fully align behind the exit plan.