As an owner preparing my business for an eventual clean exit, I want my leadership team to solve operational issues entirely on their own during IDS, but they still constantly look to me for the final decision on every major issue. How do I change my behavior during the Level 10 Meeting to force them to step up and make these decisions themselves?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

If your leadership team constantly looks to you for the final say, it is because you have trained them to do so. To build a business that is ready for a clean exit, you must break this dependency cycle during your weekly Level 10 Meetings.

First, commit to a rule of active silence during the IDS portion of the meeting. When an issue is raised, do not be the first to speak. Force a minimum of ten seconds of silence if necessary to make your team members uncomfortable enough to speak up first.

Second, when a leader asks for your opinion or decision on an issue, redirect the question back to the team. Ask them, What is your recommendation? or How would you solve this if I were not in the room?

Third, support their decisions even if they do not solve the problem exactly the way you would have. As long as their solution is aligned with your V/TO, let them run with it and experience the consequences.

This builds their confidence and teaches them how to navigate operational challenges independently.

Your goal is to transition from a player-coach to an observer. By stepping back and forcing your leadership team to own the solutions, you prove to potential buyers that the business can run successfully without you.