Define the seat
Describe the outcomes, recurring responsibilities, and decisions attached to the role.
Project Compass Discipline 04 / 07
Put the right people
in the right seats.
Match clear roles and decision rights with the skills, support, and accountability people need to succeed.
See all seven disciplinesThe COMPASS sequence
What this letter means
Put the right people in the right seats
A strong organization makes ownership clear. The right seat has a purpose, expectations, authority, and a way to measure results. Leaders then recruit, develop, coach, and make decisions in a way that gives people a fair chance to meet those standards.
Put it into practice
Make the idea part of the work.
Use these moves to turn the discipline into an operating habit your team can see and repeat.
Match authority to ownership
Make clear which decisions a person can make, when to consult, and when to escalate.
Build capability and accountability
Train, coach, review results, and address gaps consistently and respectfully.
From the Practice by Design series
Follow the idea through the books.
Book 1 details office manager design, doctor leadership, and accountability. Book II expands the work into leadership development and authority. Book III builds leadership benches for an organization operating across more locations.
Book 1 · Practice by Design
Chapters 10–12
Office Manager · Doctor Leadership · Accountability
Book II · From Practice to Enterprise
Chapters 3–5
Build Leaders · Give People Authority · Leadership Development
Book III · Scaling to $100 Million and Beyond
Chapters 19 & 22
CEO as Enterprise Architect · Build an Office Manager Bench