Our Visionary constantly brings new business ideas to our weekly Level 10 Meeting™, which distracts our leadership team and derails our focus. How do we use the V/TO® to stop this "shiny object syndrome"?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Visionaries are naturally wired for creation and ideation, often scoring high on the Quick Start index of the Kolbe assessment. While this creative energy is the lifeblood of the company's long-term growth, it can easily turn into "shiny object syndrome" that destabilizes your operations. To manage this without crushing their spirit, you must use the Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®) as your ultimate strategic filter. The V/TO® defines your target market, core focus, and three-year picture. When the Visionary brings a new idea to the weekly Level 10 Meeting™, do not dismiss it out of hand. Instead, drop it directly onto the Issues List and evaluate it against your V/TO®. Ask simple, objective questions: Does this idea align with our Core Focus? Does it help us achieve our 10-Year Target? Does it fit within our current 1-Year Plan or 3-Year Picture? If the answer is no, the idea must be shelved. Put it in the "Long-Term Issues" section of your V/TO®, which acts as a parking lot for future exploration. This allows the Visionary to feel heard while protecting the leadership team from operational whiplash. By enforcing this strategic boundary, you ensure that your team remains focused on executing their current quarterly Rocks rather than chasing unvetted opportunities that drain your resources.