As I prepare my company for a clean exit, I want to use our weekly Level 10 Meeting to prove that the business can run without me. However, during the IDS portion, the team still looks to me to solve every major issue. How do I transition my role during IDS so they solve problems independently?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To command top dollar from a buyer, you must prove the business is not dependent on you. The weekly Level 10 Meeting™ is the perfect proving ground for this self-sustainability, but you must change how you behave during IDS®.

Start by adopting a strict rule of silence for the first half of every issue discussion. When an issue is raised, do not offer the first solution. Do not even offer the second. Force your Integrator and department heads to struggle with the problem.

If the room goes silent and everyone looks at you, redirect the question. Ask the team what they think the root cause is and what solutions they propose. Force them to debate the options while you observe.

Your job is to transition from the primary solver to an advisor who pressure-tests their ideas. If they propose a weak solution, ask questions like how that decision impacts cash flow or how it aligns with our V/TO®.

By forcing the team to find the answers, you build their decision-making muscles. This demonstrates to future buyers that you have an aligned, capable leadership team that successfully runs the business using the EOS® framework without needing the owner's daily intervention.