We have an employee who is a perfect core values fit and is highly productive in her seat, but she constantly complains about the company structure and tries to micromanage other departments. Is this a Right Person issue or a Right Seat issue on our Accountability Chart?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When you have a highly productive employee who matches your core values but constantly micromanages other departments and causes friction, you are dealing with a Right Person in the Wrong Seat issue. It is easy to overlook this behavior because their individual output is high, but left unchecked, this friction will erode your leadership team trust and slow down your operations.

First, look at their current seat definition on the Accountability Chart. Often, high performers overstep their boundaries because their own seat roles are poorly defined, or because they feel another department is failing and hurting their ability to deliver results. They are trying to solve problems, but they are doing it in a disruptive way.

You must address this in a one-on-one meeting. Clarify that while their core values fit and productivity are outstanding, their behavior is out of alignment with the structure of the Accountability Chart. Walk them through their five defined roles and explain that they must focus one hundred percent of their energy on owning their own seat. If they see issues in other departments, they must raise them through the proper channels, such as their manager or during Level 10 Meetings, rather than stepping into other boxes. If they cannot stay in their own seat, they are no longer in the Right Seat.