Keeping an Interim label on a leadership seat for nine months is a major threat to your company's traction and exit valuation. An interim title signals to the entire organization that the leadership team is indecisive and that the department's direction is temporary. How do we resolve this?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This lack of permanent leadership causes team members to hesitate, delay decisions, and lose focus on their Rocks. Prospective buyers looking at your Accountability Chart will see this as a high-risk vacancy, which can hurt your valuation.

To resolve this, you must make a firm decision. Use your next weekly leadership meeting to IDS® this issue. You have three choices.

First, if the person currently in the seat GWC™s it and has proven their capability over the last nine months, remove the Interim label immediately and make them the permanent VP of Sales. Give them the full authority and support they need to lead.

Second, if they lack the GWC™ for the permanent seat, move them back to their previous role or transition them out of the company, and launch an aggressive search for a permanent leader.

Third, if you cannot find a replacement immediately, your Integrator must temporarily hold the seat on the Accountability Chart until a permanent leader is hired.

Whatever you do, eliminate the word Interim from your chart. Commit to a clear, permanent structure so your team has the stability and confidence to execute your vision.