by John Gross
Take a look at your org chart. Does it show where your business is headed in the next 6–12 months—or just where you are today?
Most org charts describe who reports to whom. That’s fine for managing the present, but it won’t help you fix bottlenecks, grow sales, or sharpen customer service. Very few org charts reflect the structure you need in place to scale and grow your business to the next level.
Why? Fear. Fear of the cost of new roles. Fear of replacing underperforming leaders. Fear of not finding the right people. So instead of planning, leaders hope things will somehow work out. Hope is not a strategy.
Your mission:
1. Accept that growth isn’t accidental. It requires the Right People in the Right Seats.
2. Design the structure your future company needs. Forget today’s limitations—map the roles that will unlock growth.
3. Be objective. Assign people based on ability and fit, not loyalty or history. “He’s been with me since high school” is not a job qualification.
Yes, it may feel uncomfortable. But aligning structure to strategy is one of the most overlooked growth moves an entrepreneur can make. Without it, you’ll keep tripping over the same issues. With it, you’ll create clarity, accountability, and the confidence to scale.
The question isn’t whether you have an org chart. It’s whether you have the right one.
(Want more on Right People, Right Seats? Read Chapter 4 of Gino Wickman’s bestselling book: Traction.)
John Gross helps companies solve complex business problems. With 30+ years of diverse experience, he creates custom solutions that drive measurable results to unlock profit and value. Contact John at John@DrivingChangeInc.com or call 636.667.0579.