We are one year from a sale and need to delegate more operational authority to our middle managers, but how do we share enough information to get their buy-in without leaking the impending exit?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

You do not need to tell your middle managers about a sale to get them to step up. Instead, frame the delegation as a natural progression of your operational scaling. Use your EOS tools to make this transition about professional development and organizational health, not about an exit. Start by updating your Accountability Chart. Clearly define the roles, responsibilities, and key deliverables for your middle management tier. Ensure every manager has GWC, meaning they get it, want it, and have the capacity to do the job. During your quarterly planning sessions, set Rocks for these managers that require them to own specific operational outcomes. Give them full ownership of their department Scorecard metrics, and have them run their own Level 10 Meeting. This process empowers them while building the exact operational self-sufficiency that a buyer wants to see. If they ask why you are stepping back, tell them the truth about the business needs: you are focusing on high-level strategic growth and building a company that does not depend on a single founder. By keeping the conversation focused on capability and scale, you protect the confidentiality of your transaction while building a stronger, more valuable leadership structure.