Exiting your business: the good news

You got to be a business leader by turning obstacles into opportunities, and exiting your business is another challenge you will succeed at. You might find the process takes you to new levels of emotional maturity. I'm sure you will find it harrowing and exhilarating at the same time.

Create value, create a legacy

We've already said, your business loses value when it loses you. The cool thing is that you are standing at the brink of a huge profit opportunity. When you really put new leaders in place who can run the business without you, you reverse the value destruction otherwise caused by your departure. Your smart and decisive action now can change your exit payoff from a small honorarium to a major chunk of capital.

Not only does a clean exit generate capital value at a much faster rate than anything you did since the early startup days, but it shifts your legacy to another level. This is the time that you face hard truths about the limits of your control. And in seeing those limits clearly, you get to do the real legacy creation - setting free a vibrant, living organism that will grow and change once it is out of your direct daily control.

Become a human being more than a human doing

For so long it seems like forever, you have been the life force that energises your business. You inspire action and most likely lead a lot more hands-on action than you will easily admit to. Your identity could be as a human doing. The amazing thing is that for you to solve some of the key problems about exiting your business, what is most deeply required of you is to just be - a human being rather than doing. So you create space for your team to actually lead.

Let them feel the thud as the true responsibility of leading a business or a business unit lands in their lap. And give yourself time and space to focus on the bigger picture.

Your gut knows.

Deep inside you is a place that can recognise the people you need and the way forward for you. Many entrepreneurs I have worked with are naturally in touch with their gut feel on customers, products, business opportunities but strangely blocked on the crucial insights that will liberate themselves and their businesses in a good exit strategy.

When it is time to exit your business, you can put your gut and your mind into the right place to attract and recognise, resonate with the people who can take your business to the next level. Then you can make the space to find your own new place in the world, separate from the daily work of your business but totally connected with all you have learned and the emotional, spiritual and material wealth you have created.

Previously: The bad news about exiting your business

Exiting your business: the bad news

You've put your heart and soul into growing, building and fighting for this business for years now. Yet you realise it is time to go - soon.

How separate are you and your business - really? If your business is a part of you, an expression of who you are in the world, almost like your flesh and blood offspring, then you are probably wondering how to let it stand on its own feet and give you back your freedom.

For years, your life has been on the line for your business. Now it is time to give space to other aspects of your life, and put some distance between you and your business. Maybe you've reached burnout stage or maybe you just know it is time to move on.

Ready to go? I've got good news and bad news for you. The bad news first:

Your business is worth less than you think, without you

You probably underestimate your own worth. And if you are going, then you are going. You can embody your value in the other people, systems and intellectual property you leave behind, but you probably underestimate the size of this task.

Your team aren't quite as good as you thought

Entrepreneurs are a notoriously optimistic bunch. You have to be, just to even contemplate starting a business! Unfortunately this also goes for most exiting entrepreneurs' assessment of their teams. I've met too many owner managers who are shocked and hurt that their top teams don't jump at the opportunity to buy them out.

Strong leaders attract followers

You are so impressed at what your team can do - but be honest, how much of this is carrying out your vision? A common pattern for entrepreneurs is only to realise how far out in front you are compared to your managers, when you want to leave. Suddenly a yawning chasm becomes visible where you thought you were building a vibrant team to take over from you.

Next: The good news about exiting your business