I am preparing my business for an exit and trying to step into the Owner's Box, but I find myself constantly interjecting and taking over our weekly Level 10 Meeting, which undermines my Integrator's authority. How do I change my behavior to support a clean operational transition?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Stepping into the Owner's Box requires a profound shift in how you operate during the Level 10 Meeting™. If you are still running the meeting, interrupting, or constantly overriding your Integrator, you are sending a clear signal to your leadership team that the Integrator is not actually in charge. This completely destroys your operational leverage and kills your chances of a clean exit because potential buyers will see that the business still depends on you.

You must practice supreme restraint. Your primary job in the meeting is to observe, support, and advise, not to direct or run the show. Let your Integrator facilitate the Level 10 Meeting™ and manage the flow of IDS®.

If you see an issue being resolved in a way you do not completely agree with, do not step in immediately unless it violates your V/TO® or Core Focus. Let your leadership team solve problems and even make minor mistakes so they can build their operational muscles.

If you have feedback for your Integrator regarding their facilitation or decisions, deliver it in a private same page meeting after the Level 10 Meeting™ has concluded. Publicly supporting your Integrator is critical to building their authority and preparing your company to run without you.