Last month I had the privilege of hosting the Traction Day for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. We ran a workshop in the morning and then after that, we hosted an EOS Users Panel featuring some of my clients. The panel was one of those times where I wish I had a video camera running so I could have shared with you what they talked about.

This is the next best thing. In the video and text below, I share the most powerful lesson from that day.

All four of the companies represented on the panel were at different stages of the EOS journey. Some of them were graduated and running on their own and others were just four months in and had just gotten their feet wet. And yet a common theme arose.

All four of these owners, as they share their personal journey, noted that:

  • They delegated their anchor type work. You know that Suck Bucket stuff that we’ve talked about that we don’t like doing and aren’t good at.
  • They were doing more of the fun stuff, the stuff that they loved to do and were also really great at – their Sweet Spot.
  • They had more time off. Some were actually uncertain about what to do with all that extra time; a good problem to have.

The common word they all landed on was FREEDOM.

Freedom – that’s a powerful word. Especially when you consider that all of these companies were in a growth phase. Freedom during growth? How is that possible?

An astute leader challenged them, “Well, that’s great that YOUR lives as owners are better. You have more freedom, more time on your hands. But is everyone else’s lives in your company a living hell because you just delegated all the garbage to them?”

All four leaders looked shocked. They glanced at each other and were like, “No. Their lives are better too. They’re happier. They’re focused on their good stuff, doing the right things and I’m not meddling in their stuff anymore so they’re happy about that too.”

So how did they get there?

First off, they had the right people in the right seats. The owners trusted their team and they let their team be free to do their work. They also shared that hiring and onboarding happened much quicker because their Core Values and roles were crystal clear.

Secondly, they were getting the big stuff done, the important stuff. They had eliminated waste in their business and they were focused on their key priorities. They were acting with more discipline and accountability on the most important things in the business. One leader got specific. She shared that they had 120 employees x 3 Rocks each = 360 priorities being accomplished PER QUARTER.

Thirdly, they clarified their vision, that point on the shore they were rowing towards. They were crystal clear on their future state and how they were going to get there. This clarity helped align their people so they could contribute and achieve the vision.

The big lesson in all of this: Get an operating system and work it.

The panelists are all partial to EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, as am I, because it helps achieve Vision, Traction, and Healthy. It’s just what EOS does really well. When we achieve Vision, Traction and Healthy, the freedom follows.

Hearing the panel share their stories was amazing for me. It’s why I do what I do to what I do. Helping people achieve freedom energizes me. It’s what woke me up before the alarm on that day after only 3 hours of sleep.

I want you to achieve this freedom too. I know that EOS can change your life. Just get it started.

One way you can do that is by buying the book Traction by Gino Wickman and download the tools for free. It will cost you about $40. It’s an awesome option.

The second way is you can hire an EOS Implementer, like me. We offer to do a free 90-minute overview of EOS for your leadership team at no charge so you can see what it looks like.

I just want to see you move your business forward. If you have any questions about how to start on this journey, please reach out. I’d be happy to help.

Until next time, what’s the one thing you’re going to do to get an operating system in your business so you can move closer to YOUR desired freedom?
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