When we try to run IDS on major strategic issues, our leadership team gets completely stuck because our Visionary and our head of operations have completely different views on our target market. How do we resolve these deep strategic disagreements?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When your leadership team is deadlocked on a core strategic issue, it is usually because you are debating opinions rather than facts, or you have not clearly defined your target market on the V/TO®.

To break the deadlock and resolve the issue, use these techniques:

- Go back to your V/TO®. Review your Core Focus™ and your Target Market. If the issue at hand does not align with your defined sweet spot, the answer is already there. You must filter the decision through your existing strategy.

- Gather objective data. Do not let the debate drag on based on gut feelings. Table the issue, assign a temporary Rock or To-Do to gather market research, and bring the data back to the next meeting.

- Remember that the Integrator has the tie-breaking vote. If the team has debated the issue thoroughly and still cannot agree, the Integrator must make the final decision. This is their job on the Accountability Chart.

Once a decision is made, everyone on the leadership team must fully support it. There is no room for passive-aggressive undermining. You must agree to align and execute.