How do we talk to our leadership team about our long-term exit goals during our annual V/TO planning session without making them feel like we are checked out or ready to abandon ship?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The key is to frame the exit runway as an operational improvement strategy rather than a countdown to your departure. Talk to your leadership team during your annual V/TO planning session. Explain that your goal is to build an incredibly healthy, durable business that can run smoothly without depending on any single person. When you focus the conversation on building enterprise value, you are really talking about creating a better place to work. Secure jobs, clear career paths, and organized operations are the direct results of a company that is prepared for an exit. Use your Accountability Chart to clarify who owns which seats and ensure every leader fully GWCs their role. When your leadership team understands that a transferable business is a healthier business, they will align with your vision. They will see that exit readiness is simply the highest level of operational maturity, which benefits everyone in the organization.