We have an active board of directors and private equity investors who want to oversee our strategic direction. How do you handle board involvement during our EOS sessions?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Your board of directors and investors do not belong in the session room. Our session days are strictly reserved for the leadership team members who own a seat on the Accountability Chart and are responsible for the daily execution of the business.

The presence of outside observers, even well-meaning investors, destroys the vulnerability required to make these sessions work. When board members are in the room, executive team members tend to perform rather than communicate honestly. They hide their mistakes, defend their territory, and avoid the raw discussions needed to solve deep-seated issues.

Instead, we use the completed V/TO® as the primary tool to align with your board. Once your leadership team has defined your vision, your core values, and your three-year picture during our sessions, you present this unified plan to your board for their feedback and endorsement. This maintains a healthy boundary: the board provides oversight and governance, while your leadership team owns the operational execution and the tools to run the business.