As many entrepreneurs now know, Certified EOS Implementers begin every session by restating our expectations for the day. Every single time we do that – to date nearly 1,500 times with the leadership teams of more than 200 entrepreneurial companies – we’ve asked each member of the team to be “Open and Honest” with us, and with one another. As simple and reasonable as that request might sound, complying with it is difficult, even for the best leaders in the most successful businesses. Why? From my vantage point, it’s mostly fear. And however well-founded your fears are, they must be overcome before you and the other leaders in your organization can become a truly healthy leadership team. Put simply, the very best leadership teams always say what’s on their mind. Not just to their spouses or behind closed doors to someone in the organization that has become a confidante – those

To help you manage the complexity of your business and all of the “stuff” going on, I highly recommend the discipline of choosing only one of three options for any problem, idea, commitment, or opportunity, i.e., “stuff.” Mastering the art of compartmentalizing will help you free up energy and time for yourself, your team, and your company – while maximizing your efficiency and productivity. You’ll execute better, become more efficient, and FOCUS your team’s energy. Issues, To-Do’s, and Rocks: Understanding the Difference Let’s assume you have your One-Year Plan and Goals firmly in place. As you now execute throughout the year and deal with all the “stuff” together with your leadership team, make a quick decision as each item comes up as to whether it’s an Issue, a To-Do, or a Rock. An Issue is any unresolved problem, idea, or opportunity. An issue falls into two categories: long-term and short-term. If it’s long-term (meaning

I have asked hundreds of entrepreneurs what prompted them to start a business, and not one of them has ever said, “Because I just LOVE managing people.” Even during a massive economic crisis, “people problems” seem to be a frequent and painful cause of frustration for business owners and leaders. They’re frustrated about employees, partners, vendors, customers…none of them listen, or get it, or care. Unless you’ve just joined the workforce or been working alone for your entire career, you know precisely what I mean. My first article introduced readers to the Six Key Components™ of a well-run business, and the follow-up further described the Vision Component. If you easily connect the word “employees” with “frustration,” you’ll enjoy the focus of this article– strengthening the People Component. There are thousands of books, seminars, and strategies that can help you find and keep great people. Most provide valuable insight, articulate strategies, and compelling