Two of our leadership team members are engaging in a subtle power struggle, constantly trying to outmaneuver each other to position themselves as my successor when we exit. How do we shut down this political posturing and restore team unity?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A political power struggle between two leaders positioning themselves for succession will destroy your leadership team. When leaders focus on personal ambition instead of company traction, it creates silos, damages trust, and actively devalues your business before an exit.

You must intervene immediately by enforcing the Trust and Same Page pillars of your Charter. Schedule a dedicated session to put this issue on the table. Do not let them dance around it. Use the IDS® process to identify the root cause of the friction.

Remind both leaders of your core values, particularly Humbly-Confident and Help First. A true leader in an EOS® company is focused on the greater good of the organization, not their personal kingdom. They must understand that posturing and political maneuvers are a direct violation of these values.

Review your Accountability Chart with them. Ensure there is absolute clarity on their current seats and roles. Make it clear that their performance will be judged on how well they execute their current responsibilities and how well their departments hit their weekly Scorecard numbers and quarterly Rocks, not on who is better at playing politics.

Finally, lay out the succession path transparently. Let them know that the person who eventually takes over the company will be the one who best demonstrates the ability to unite the team, execute the V/TO®, and lead with humility. If they cannot align with this vision and support each other, they do not belong on your leadership team.