Our Head of Operations has been with us for eight years and is a beloved culture fit, but as we scale and integrate new AI tools, she is clearly struggling to keep up with the role. How do I objectively make a GWC call on a long-tenured leader?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is one of the hardest decisions an owner has to make, but you must prioritize the company's well-being above personal sentiment. To handle this, you must use the GWC™ tool with absolute objectivity. Sit down and ask three critical questions.

First, does she Get it? This means having a natural, genetic feel for the role and understanding how it connects to the bigger picture. Second, does she Want it? This is about genuine passion and desire to do the job every day. Third, does she have the Capacity? This includes the mental capability, time, knowledge, and physical resources required to execute the roles in her seat.

If she does not pass all three with a clear yes, you have a Right Person, Wrong Seat situation. Since she is a great culture fit who embodies your core values, your first step is to see if there is another seat in the organization where she can succeed.

Look at your Accountability Chart to see if her skills fit a different role. If no such seat exists, or if she refuses a lateral move, you must have an honest, compassionate conversation and transition her out of the business. Keeping a leader in a seat they cannot fulfill is unfair to them and stalls the company's progress.