90 DAYS ON EOS: THE FOUR TOOLS MOVING ONE PARTNER FORWARD

EOS. Three letters I wasn’t familiar with until I launched Empower. However, I’ve come to appreciate them more and more over the past year.

For others unfamiliar with EOS, the acronym stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. Developed by Gino Wickman and popularized in his book Traction, EOS gives leadership teams a common cadence to execute and strengthen culture. Wickman constructed this practical framework for entrepreneurial businesses using simple tools to clarify vision, set priorities, track metrics and drive accountability.

Prior to a couple of months ago, I learned EOS on my own, but had yet to put it into action. That changed in May when I started a new Fractional COO engagement. The founder was eager to hit the ground running with EOS. She’d engaged with an Implementor (i.e., someone who guides and coaches organizations on EOS), and we kicked things off essentially on Day 1.

Nearly 90 days later, I can say with confidence that evolution is well on its way. The four tools that made a difference?

Without a doubt:

• The Accountability Chart: A role-based organization chart that defines core functions and seats, clarifies who owns each outcome and ensures the right people are in the right roles for growth.

• Quarterly Rocks: The 3–7 most important priorities for the next 90 days, with clear owners and due dates, and used to focus execution.

• L10 Meeting: A weekly 90-minute leadership meeting with a consistent agenda that keeps leaders aligned, accountable and focused on solving the most important issues so the business moves forward every week.

• IDS: Identify, Discuss, Solve. This tool provides a structured process to get to the root causes of issues, determine the best solution and convert decisions into clear next steps.

What’s changed in 90 days

Over the three months, I’ve integrated these tools and felt the impact first-hand.

Not everything is perfect. It’s a very early-stage business, and things shift constantly. But, real progress has been made. I’m also encouraged that installing these fundamentals will pay dividends quarter after quarter.

The early wins?

Clarity around organizational makeup

With the Accountability Chart, we’re now clear as a team about:

• The functional areas of the business.

• The key responsibilities of those functions.

• Functional ownership.

• Staffing and capability gaps to execute.

Six months ago, this founder was predominantly operating solo. Now, everyone has a role, and there’s a roadmap for expansion.

Collective alignment around priorities

Quarterly Rocks forced us to narrow our focus on what will move the needle now. They also provided a mechanism to cascade those priorities down to each individual on the team.

We’ve also learned a lot. Not every Rock was perfect this first time. That’s OK. We obtained the signal and inputs needed to better inform the next quarter.

Stronger meetings. Transparent discussion. Tackling thorny issues. Momentum.

Bad meetings are the worst. They drain time, energy and stall progress. The EOS L10 is the opposite. The consistency and structure of the agenda aid in productive discussion and, importantly, make sure leaders don’t leave the conversation without unblocking major sticking points. That’s where the IDS comes into play.

I can point to many instances where we discussed an issue, sometimes painfully drilled down until we pinpointed why the roadblock existed, and then found relief when we unlocked it and put an action plan in motion.

What’s next?

In September, we’ll have our quarterly review with our EOS Implementor. That will provide a good pulse check. There’s plenty of work to be done, but this is also a process.

Traction comes with repetition. Build structure, break down old habits and build new muscle. Rinse and repeat.

Whether you use EOS or another framework, doing this foundational work early prevents a cracked foundation later.

These actions compound. So, make your next move now.

MEET SERA MICHAEL, FOUNDER & CEO OF FROTHÉ

Set the calendar to the “no meeting” zone

I’ve written about calendar chunking and the importance of deep work in this newsletter before.

Taking a different angle on a similar theme, today’s small move suggestion: book “no meeting” or “focus work” time in your calendar weekly.

I try to go through this exercise quarterly. Review my forward calendar and secure the time slots. I often find that if I don’t, the calendar gets messy, and it gets harder to adjust.

Ideally, you can block a day per week with no meetings to dive into strategic, high-priority work. That’s not always possible, especially in the early stages. Even carving out several hours per week can make a difference.

I also color-code this time in my calendar so it visually sticks out and I’m more likely to guard it fiercely. Implement whatever triggers will help you to build this time into your routine.

It’s habit formation, so it may take a few reps but give it a try.

HIRE THE MISFIT FROM THE LEVERAGE

TL;DR

This publication of The Leverage explores a perspective on hiring in the age of AI. Evan Armstrong, the author, posits the startup playbook of “hiring missionaries” breaks in this type of environment, and instead recommends companies look more for the misfits.

The people who:

• Outperform in ambiguity.

• Are scrappy, move quickly and aren’t afraid to change direction when required.

• Tinker for the sake of learning and discovery.

• Aren’t afraid of the difficult conversations that force teams to better outcomes.

I don’t have the paid version of the newsletter, so didn’t get the full scoop. However, I found the piece to be a good thought starter, and hope you do, too.

The power of a happy place

What’s your happy place?

I know mine. It’s been the same for as long as I can remember.

Fortunately, I get to work from it this week and next.

I also get to now share it with my daughter, who is getting old enough to enjoy and appreciate pieces of this place as well.

Being in a happy place can unlock a lot:

• Creativity

• Reflection

• Inspiration

• Introspection

• New perspective

• Moments of pause

Find your happy place and observe the impact it has on you both personally and professionally.

And, don’t forget to find moments of presence and soak it all in.

LOOKING FOR MORE EMPOWERMENT?

You’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s work together to make it last. We want to be your partner in the journey to develop the business that lives into your vision.

There are four primary ways Empower can partner with you to support getting your business to the next level. Click the image below to learn more about our core offerings.

If you’re ready to take the step, reach out to discuss how we can support your goals. 

If you were forwarded this newsletter and enjoyed it, I encourage you to subscribe and join the Empower community.