Implementer Posts
Why I decided to become an EOS Implementer
First of all, let me just say off the bat that I think life is a project. It has a start date and an end date. There are certain goals, deliverables, jobs to be done. And if you think about your life as a project, it actually makes everything fall into place. Instead of thinking of a job, or even a career as that – it’s a project. This is an idea that I picked up from football coaches, or soccer coaches, you would hear a head coach taking a position, talking about the project, being attracted to the project, with a specific timeframe, and a very focused and definite outcome. Whether it was promotion, winning a trophy, a turnaround, whatever the case may be. So, when I look at my life now, I have several projects that inspire me and take up my time. That gives me purpose that allows
You Set the Ceiling
Some of the Leadership Teams I work with get frustrated with their ability to drive Accountability through their organization. I recently realized these Leadership Teams tend to be the same ones who struggle to consistently complete 80% of their Rocks. This led me to a second realization: I have now worked with over 50 Leadership Teams and in that experience, I have NEVER seen an organization that is more aligned, accountable or healthy than its Leadership Team. That is, Leadership Teams that struggle the most with their own alignment, accountability and team health are the same ones that have the most difficulty driving alignment, accountability and team health through their organizations. Meanwhile, the Teams that are strongest in these three areas have much more success with the organizations they lead in these same regards. Based upon this insight, I have a new mantra I share with my clients: “You Set
No Cracks in Our Teamness: The Importance of Alignment in Decision Making
As an EOS implementer, a common challenge I see in leadership teams is the lack of alignment in decision-making. Even when a decision is made, there can be differing opinions on whether or not that was the right solution. Of course it’s important that relevant, differing opinions are heard, but the key is to speak from experience, not hypothetical. Part of what makes a great leadership team is the ability to share your lens of the business related to the topic at hand. However, when someone on the leadership team says they are aligned, but then they tell others on the team they don’t agree, saying things like; “That was what ‘they’ decided, but I have a different opinion,” this can create cracks in the teamness. Why Alignment So Important One of the healthy rules of EOS sessions is “No Sidebars” – not only with each other but with yourselves.
Is Being Nice the Same as Being Kind?
Recently, I’ve found some teams struggling to build trust. It appears that our pandemic separation, or perhaps even our reentry into engagement with each other, added stress and strained trust more than we expected. Our relationships feel different now, don’t they? More than a few times in recent sessions, I’ve felt compelled to explain the difference between being “nice” and being “kind” to our teams. With all the challenges of the day, many great leaders may think that softening their approach and focusing on being “nice” will win the day. But, will it? Being “nice” seems harmless. After all, we’re choosing to consider the feelings of others when we’re being nice. We want them to be happy, to stay on our team, to like us. Or, are we simply trying not to rock the boat? Are we more concerned about their reaction and its impact on us? Whatever the reason,
The Ineffectiveness of Business Meetings: Unveiling the Hidden Challenges
In the realm of modern business, meetings have become a staple for collaboration, decision-making, and progress. However, despite their ubiquitous nature, it is no secret that many business meetings often fall short of achieving their intended objectives. So often, when I am talking with business owners, it’s the subject of meetings not working and communication not happening that is frustrating them most. In this blog post, I will delve into the reasons behind the ineffectiveness of business meetings and shed light on the hidden challenges that hinder their success. Lack of Clear Purpose and Agenda: One of the primary culprits behind ineffective meetings is the absence of a clear purpose and agenda. Without a defined objective, meetings tend to lose focus, become lengthy, and fail to produce actionable outcomes. Have you ever sat through hours-long rambles, fretting about all the work sitting on your desk, not getting done? I know
Even Superstars Aren’t Perfect
You may be one of the many leaders trying to cope with a problematic superstar. On the positive side, this person knows how to play the game to win and does win – consistently. On the negative side, they’re not a great fit on the team. Consequently, despite their unbeatable personal stats, they are dragging the team down. Someone can be a poor fit for any number of reasons. For instance, they may have their own way of doing things that does not line up completely with your company’s procedures. They might have an abrasive approach to others, even to the point of disparaging or disrespecting fellow employees. They might be perfectly pleasant to be around, yet not be willing to collaborate with or coach other team members. If you’ve got a superstar who is a poor fit, you will notice that the team as a whole: Is not able to