I am actively preparing my company for a clean exit, but my leadership team still looks to me for final approval during the IDS portion of our weekly Level 10 Meetings, even though I am trying to transition to the Owner's Box. How do I physically and verbally disengage during these sessions to force their autonomy?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To transition your business to a state where it can run without you, you must stop acting as the primary decision-maker during your Level 10 Meetings™. If the team constantly looks at you for approval, you are still the operational bottleneck.

Start by physically changing your position in the room or on the virtual call. If you are meeting in person, sit away from the head of the table. If you are meeting virtually, keep your camera on but consciously place your microphone on mute. This physical boundary signals that you are an observer, not the facilitator.

Verbally, you must practice extreme restraint. When an issue is raised, do not offer the first solution. In fact, do not offer any solution until the team has fully debated the issue and proposed their own path forward. If they turn to you and ask what you think, redirect the question by asking what the person in the seat on the Accountability Chart recommends.

Your goal is to coach them to trust their own GWC™ and use the IDS® process to resolve issues autonomously. By refusing to rescue them, you force them to build the decision-making muscles required to run the company after your exit. If a buyer sees a leadership team that can solve complex issues without the owner's input, the value of your business will skyrocket.