In April, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Conference—an experience I’m deeply grateful for. Attending such an event is a rarity for me, and I was eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible to bring back to my daily operations. The conference offered a wealth of insights and practical ideas that I could immediately implement. Here are my top five takeaways that I believe are universally applicable, especially for those looking to elevate their leadership and enhance their company culture.
1. Success Requires Preparation
Often overlooked, the preparation before attending any conference is crucial. To maximize the benefits of the EOS Conference, I dedicated time before the event to clear my mind and schedule from the daily hustle. This preparation allowed me to fully engage and immerse myself in the learning experience without distractions. The effort to create an out-of-office plan and prioritize conference activities truly enhanced my ability to enjoy and absorb the invaluable content presented.
2. Be People Focused
A recurring theme at the conference, which comes as no surprise, is that people are the heart of our companies. One of the core aspects of EOS is establishing and adhering to your company’s “Core Values.” There were enlightening sessions focused on aligning the right people with the right roles, which is fundamental in driving a positive company culture and boosting performance.
An important reminder from one of the round-table discussions was to consistently apply these Core Values in every decision-making process. By doing so, you maintain a clear direction and ensure that your team’s efforts are aligned with the company’s goals. At a round table, an implementor reminded me that it always goes back to the basics – use the EOS tools, break it down, and it becomes clear.
3. Do More Naturally
A significant point of discussion was recognizing and leveraging individual natural abilities within the team. It was highlighted that forcing people to undertake tasks that do not align with their inherent strengths often leads to inefficiency and frustration. A major insight from one of the sessions was the idea that “Time is not your problem.” It’s a matter of asking yourself, “Do I have the mental energy?”
This perspective shifts the focus from time management to energy management, suggesting we should aim to minimize energy-draining tasks and focus more on activities that are energizing and align with our natural skills. Not only is it a good business decision – it also helps your team be happier and more fulfilled!
4. Decision-Making and Leadership
Gino Wickman’s keynote on decision-making left a lasting impression. He emphasized the importance of making decisions out of love, not fear. He posed a thought-provoking question: Can we be driven and ambitious while maintaining peace and harmony in our lives and organizations?
This question challenged me to reflect on my leadership style and decision-making processes. To enhance my decision-making, I need to adopt a mindset that prioritizes the team and the organization as a whole, rather than letting fear and worry influence my choices.
5. Making Connections
The BEST part of the conference was finding my people. As an integrator, I found a great community of like-minded people who share my love of process, people development, and continuous improvement. What a gift! I was inspired to stay in touch and reach out to this group. Discovering this community of peers was truly inspirational, reinforcing the value of networking and the power of community support in professional growth.
The EOS Conference was far more than a temporary escape from the office; it was a transformative journey that offered profound insights into effective leadership and organizational development. Armed with these lessons, I am eager to elevate my leadership approach and help shape a thriving company culture. The experience underscored the importance of such gatherings in providing not just knowledge but also essential connections that extend professional horizons and personal growth.
Here at &Marketing, we aren’t only powered by EOS, we thrive on providing outsourced marketing C-Suite strategy and services to companies who are also running on EOS. Reach out to us if you’re on a similar journey!
About Tina DePrisco:
COO/Integrator Tina DePrisco leads the strategic direction of internal processes and deliverables. By focusing on standards and quality as well as the alignment of cross-functional teams, she ensures the superior delivery of &Marketing’s services. She also serves as a Marketing Manager on client projects to stay abreast of marketing trends and client needs. Tina brings to &Marketing extensive experience in service organizations, technology, operations, and process development as well as software implementation and testing.