I have a confession to make. As both an EOS Implementer® and a longtime user of the EOS Process®, I have a history of blowing off my Clarity Breaks™ In recent years I’ve gotten better. As they say in the recovery business, the first step is admitting you have a problem. I am not alone. When I call to check in with my clients, they often confess the same thing to me. “Yeah, well, that ERP system is killing me,” or “I’m short a salesperson,” or, closer to the truth, “There’s already a feeling amongst the team that all I do is have lunches while everyone else does the REAL work.” Hmm, it sounds like we’ve got an issue there. We might need to process that. For those of you unfamiliar with EOS® (the Entrepreneurial Operating System®), Clarity Breaks are the time that you schedule with yourself to work “on” your business. It’s “think

“We’re going to win the World Series, ” declared my coach, Gene Hanson. It was the summer of 1982, and the room was filled with 18 13-year old baseball players (myself included) selected for that summer’s Little League all-star team, and our families. After a very uncomfortable exchange of blank stares, a murmur of laughter – mostly from the players – erupted and filled the room. Not out of disrespect. Rather, sheer disbelief. Everyone, including my coach, knew that no team from our Chicago suburb of Libertyville had ever made it past the State Tournament. In fact, only one team had ever MADE IT to the State Tournament. But this is what great leaders do. They have big ideas. Clearly stated. For all the world to see and hear. Knowing all too well that it will be hard – if not entirely scary – for many to imagine. And before

“When are you happiest?” She asked me. “When I’m running.”, I replied. “What are you running from?”, she retorted. Fuck, I hate when she does that! A pregnant pause. A silent exchange of blank stares. A once clear view of her on my screen now distorted through the tears welling up behind my eyes. Dammit. I hate when she does that! “She” is my therapist, Cindy. She is altering the course of my life. “Chad, you’ve experienced what’s called “compound trauma.” I want you to make yourself your next project.” Trauma?! Me?! In my mind, trauma was what war veterans or victims of real-life misfortunes experience. Not me. I’m neither of those … It was the summer of 2022, and I was just experiencing a little stress: 4 years earlier I had lost my 17-year old niece (and Goddaughter) to Cystic Fibrosis. 2 weeks later I lost my brother-in-law. A year

So much of the realities of life as an entrepreneur can be found in a 26.2 mile run … on one leg(ish). NOTE: A warning letter to my future self and to you – my fellow entrepreneurs. ⚠️ You’ve seen it on the walls at the local school, mall or place of worship – “Break glass in case of emergency.” It’s there on the wall. A glass-encased ax, fire extinguisher and alarm. There’s even a little mallet to break the glass with. This is for emergencies only. As entrepreneurs, we need a “Break glass in case of emergency” plan. You know what I’m talking about – a plan for that situation we don’t want to think about, and certainly don’t want to spend any time preparing for. But when the you-know-what hits the fan: What are we prepared to do? What are we willing to accept? What are we willing

6.5 miles. Every 6.5 hours. For 65 hours. That’s the challenge. However, this is not just another “ultra” challenge for a shit and a grin. This isn’t just about hitting a number. This is a challenge to recognize, raise awareness for, and support those living with cystic fibrosis – to help them breathe just a little bit easier. To give you a sense of what this challenge entails, here was the schedule: Tuesday, Sept 16 9:00 AM — 6.5 miles 3:30 PM — 6.5 miles 10:00 PM — 6.5 miles Wednesday, Sept 17 4:30 AM — 6.5 miles 11:00 AM — 6.5 miles 5:30 PM — 6.5 miles Thursday, Sept 18 (ROSE UP Day) 12:00 AM — 6.5 miles 6:30 AM — 6.5 miles 1:00 PM — 6.5 miles 7:30 PM — 6.5 miles 65 miles in 65 hours. 6.5 miles at a time. Every 6.5 hours. Ten runs. One

Accountability Isn’t About Blame — It’s Partnership When people hear the word “accountability,” they often brace themselves. They picture blame, finger-pointing, or a dreaded performance talk. But in my work with leadership teams, I see something different: accountability done right isn’t punishment — it’s partnership. One leader I coached put it perfectly: “When I started treating accountability like a two-way street, my team started meeting me halfway.” True accountability isn’t about calling people out — it’s about showing up, owning your role, and helping others succeed in theirs. The Power of Honest Partnership Back when I was playing soccer, I had teammates who never missed a practice, never cut a corner, and always called out when I did. Not because they wanted to shame me — but because they wanted to win with me. Accountability in business works the same way: it’s built on trust, clear expectations, and honest feedback