I am the Visionary and want to sell the business in eighteen months, but my Integrator is highly risk-averse and keeps raising operational roadblocks that delay our exit readiness. How do we align our conative strengths to get the business prepped for a clean exit without killing our working relationship?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Friction between a Visionary pushing for an exit and a risk-averse Integrator is common, but it will sink your transaction if left unresolved. To prepare the business for a clean exit, you must align your different instinctive strengths instead of letting them pull the company apart. To resolve this alignment gap, use this approach:
- Review your Kolbe A™ Index scores to understand your natural ways of taking action under pressure.
- Have the Visionary define the ultimate destination in the V/TO®, outlining the exact exit timeline and goals.
- Let the Integrator own the operational execution, breaking the exit prep down into manageable quarterly Rocks.
- Use the Trust Equation to lower self-absorption and focus on your shared goals for the business.
The Visionary's natural instinct is to take risks and experiment, while the Integrator's instinct is to maintain order and minimize chaos. Both perspectives are essential for a successful transaction. The Visionary ensures the company captures market opportunities and attracts buyers, while the Integrator ensures the due diligence process goes smoothly. By respecting each other's conative strengths, you can build a highly valuable company and secure a clean, lucrative exit.