Our Visionary keeps bringing shiny new business opportunities to the table that distract us from our core business model. How do we use the Core Focus in our V/TO® to shut down these distractions without killing their entrepreneurial spirit?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Entrepreneurial Visionaries are naturally wired to seek out new opportunities. While this drive is essential for growth, it can also lead to shiny object syndrome, which distracts the team and dilutes your resources. To manage this, you must use the Core Focus section of your V/TO® as a strict operational filter. The Core Focus defines your passion and your niche. When your Visionary brings a new idea to the table, do not dismiss it out of hand. Instead, require them to run it through the Core Focus filter. Ask two simple questions: does this idea align with our core passion, and does it fit within our niche? If the answer to either question is no, the idea is shelved. To keep the Visionary engaged without disrupting the business, create a parking lot on your V/TO® for future ideas. This allows them to capture their thoughts without immediately pulling the team off course. Review this parking lot during your annual planning sessions to see if any of these opportunities warrant a strategic shift. By using the Core Focus as an objective filter, you protect your team's focus while showing respect for the Visionary's creative energy.