EOS® offers a simple, proven system for running an entrepreneurial business, but that doesn’t make it easy. Many teams I work with throughout West Michigan have run into a few common challenges that slow them down. I cover five below, and how you can overcome them on your journey to Running on EOS®.
Benefits of Running on EOS®
Teams that run on EOS® gain clarity on their company vision, experience improved accountability, and solve real issues. They also learn how to make better business decisions using concrete numbers instead of emotions. Owners focus on what matters most and create healthy leadership teams.
- Clear Vision: Tools like the Vision/Traction Organizer® help leaders articulate and align around a clear vision. With a clear vision, the entire organization understands the company’s direction and each person’s role in achieving it.
- Accountability and Visibility: Using The Accountability Chart® provides teams far more detailed information than a traditional org chart. It provides the company structure and the roles and responsibilities of each seat on The Accountability Chart®.
- Issue Solving: Tools like the Identify, Discuss, and Solve (IDS®) tool, owners and their leadership teams learn how to identify issues at their root cause. They discuss potential solutions and take action to solve issues forever.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Using clear, measurable data over subjective opinions ensures decisions are made on facts, not feelings. Tracking measurables in the Scorecard each week provides a look at trends to identify issues early.
Common Obstacles when Implementing EOS®
Most teams have to learn how to overcome a few common hurdles to EOS® implementation in their businesses.
- Rolling Out Too Quickly
In their excitement to start gaining the benefits of EOS®, a team might rush to implement every tool at once. Most entrepreneurial companies move fast but lose focus if they rush through the learning phase. These teams may not fully understand each tool they’re implementing, which creates confusion. People feel overwhelmed, momentum stalls, and the organization fails to realize the full benefit of each tool or discipline.
Solution: EOS® works best when implemented consistently, not quickly. There’s no race to win. The only way a team wins is by getting the full benefits from each tool and discipline. And that takes time. Slow down and focus on the basics first. For most teams, that means mastering five Foundational Tools: the Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®), The Accountability Chart®, quarterly Rocks, The Meeting Pulse®, and Scorecard.
- Lack of Leadership Team Buy-In
Change is hard, especially when owners bring many different business ideas to their leadership teams. EOS® can feel like another flavor of the month. Yet, when an owner commits to implementing EOS®, everyone on the leadership team has to be on board.
If even one leader resists Running on EOS™, the entire team struggles. Some people may nod along during explanations and meetings, but never commit. That weakens the process, leading to uneven results and poor follow-through. It also sends mixed messages to their team about whether EOS® is “important” for them to master.
Solution: Start with alignment. An EOS Implementer® uses the 90 Minute Meeting® to introduce EOS® concepts clearly to each member. Afterward, owners should ask for honest feedback from each leadership team member. Without complete buy-in, EOS won’t stick.
- Kinda, Sorta Running on EOS™
Some companies claim to use EOS®, but they pick and choose tools. The leaders skip around, cherry-picking whatever sounds easiest to do or fits their agenda. They don’t follow the full process. This creates confusion and inconsistency. The organization may see some progress, but it’ll achieve nowhere near the results by fully buying into the holistic system (see Common Obstacle #2).
Solution: Run on EOS the right way. Commit to implementing the full system. The company will see real results when everyone understands and consistently uses the EOS Tools®. Instead of skipping tools because you don’t understand them or figure out how to apply them to your business, seek a Professional EOS Implementer®. They’ll help you stay on track.
- Unclear or Too Many Priorities
When leaders have big visions for their company, achieving them typically involves a lot of work. They see tons of areas in their business that need improvement, but have trouble prioritizing their goals for their teams. In response, leaders create long lists of projects for their teams, trying to do everything in one quarter. This spreads people too thin, and the team finishes nothing, which lowers morale. After all, when everything’s important, it feels like nothing really is.
Solution: Less is more. Use the V/TO® to set clear annual goals. Then pick 3–7 Company Rocks for the quarter. Define success with SMART goals. Track them weekly and celebrate wins. Stay focused on what matters most right now without moving goalposts on your teams.
- Weak Issue-Solving with IDS®
Teams often struggle with the IDS® process. They talk around problems instead of solving them. Many of my clients are overly polite, trying to spare someone’s feelings or avoid getting attacked themselves. Unfortunately, this surface way of handling issues only addresses symptoms instead of the root cause. That means some version of the issue at hand will come up over and over again. Meanwhile, the real issues stay stuck.
Solution: Learn to truly IDS® issues by identifying the root cause (keep asking why until you get there). Then discuss the issue openly and honestly. The conversation should revolve around the issue, not a particular person. Assign clear to-dos to one owner with due dates to solve the issue forever. An EOS Implementer® can show you how to make your IDS® sessions more productive if you find they go off track.
Run Faster with an EOS Implementer®
You can self-implement EOS®, but it’s harder and will take longer. Working with an EOS Implementer® speeds up your results. Here’s how we can help:
- Learn Fundamental Tools and Disciplines Faster and Better
EOS Implementers® have to go through rigorous training on each of the tools. Chances are, they used them in their own businesses before becoming EOS Implementers®! We’ll teach your team how to use the EOS Toolbox™ correctly and get you Running on EOS™ faster with less frustration.
- Course Correct Early
Because of our experiences, an EOS Implementer® can spot issues before they become habits. We’ve learned how to pick up on subtle nuances and an unbiased third party, we can call out issues to address them openly.
They are available to answer questions instead of you and your team guessing how to use a tool. This way, you can keep your team on track quickly without wasting time, energy, and patience.
- Gain Real-World Insight from the Expert
EOS Implementers® have worked with many teams throughout Western Michigan. I also led a team of 650 people who ran on EOS® before I became an EOS Implementer® myself. I know what works and can share tips to save time and stress.
You can overcome these challenges and get everything you want from your business by fully committing to implementing EOS®. I’m here to help if you need it.