I’ve loved airplanes since I was a little boy. I used to build model airplanes and hang them all over my bedroom ceiling. As a young adult, I joined the Air Force and spent the next 22 years around real airplanes: hearing them, studying them, and appreciating every detail about how they work.
My brother Patrick shares that same love of aviation. Recently, we took a two-day trip to the Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, D.C., where the Smithsonian Institute puts all of the airplanes that don’t fit in the downtown Air and Space Museum.
Day One: Overwhelmed by It All
When we first walked into that massive hangar, we were like two kids in a candy store. We wandered from plane to plane, trying to soak it all in. The Enola Gay, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Space Shuttle Discovery…it was incredible.
But by the end of the day, I was a little exhausted. We’d seen everything, but we hadn’t really understood it.
Day Two: A Different Experience
The next morning Patrick said, “Let’s get a guide.”
And what a difference it made.
In just three hours, our guide led us straight to the most significant aircraft in the building and explained why each one mattered. He shared stories we never would’ve known and used his 35 years as an engineer on the Space Shuttle program to help us understand the innovations behind what we were seeing.
We asked a hundred questions, and he tailored the experience to what we cared about most. It was still awe-inspiring – but this time, it was also meaningful.
The Lesson
That day reminded me why having a guide matters. With the right person leading you, you learn faster, stay focused on what’s important, and enjoy the journey so much more.
How It Connects to Business
In a lot of ways, we do the same thing for our clients.
When leadership teams first come to us, they’re often frustrated. They’re dealing with people issues, struggling to gain traction, and overwhelmed by all the information out there.
As EOS Implementers, our job is to understand their specific situation and guide them through a proven process—helping them use the right tools, in the right order, to get more of what they want from their business.
Having a guide saves time, energy, and confusion. And just like at that museum, it makes the whole experience more enjoyable and far more effective.
Your Turn
If you’re ready to stop wandering and start making real progress, find a guide who knows the path. Whether you’re building airplanes, exploring museums, or running a business, having someone experienced walk beside you makes all the difference.
If your business feels stuck or overwhelmed, let’s talk. As an EOS Implementer, my role is to help you clarify your vision, get everyone aligned, and build traction toward the results you want. You don’t have to figure it all out alone—that’s what guides are for.