Rock Status: "Not Done"

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a leadership team member (or maybe you…) spent an entire quarter assuring that a rock was on track. Every Level 10 Meeting?, a verbal “On Track” was shared during the rock review. The EOS? Quarterly comes…and the rock somehow didn’t get done. It was because that thingy wasn’t done. Or, an outside, unanticipated force intervened. Or maybe it was never an area of focus at all.

A possible root cause is being unclear on “what done looks like.” Are you 100% clear on what the other side of the finish line looks like when you set your rock? Another is overconfidence in the ability to complete the task. It’s natural at the EOS Quarterly to feel optimistic and motivated. (That’s the point of the quarterly – to regroup and recommit to a vision). It’s incredibly important to learn why a rock didn’t get done (when supposedly on track) and make SMARTER rocks for the next quarter. Ask: What CAN you get done in the next thirteen weeks?

Another factor can be a lack of accountability. When we share our goals with others, we feel a sense of social pressure to follow through. However, if our fellow leadership team members don’t hold us accountable each week, it's easy to slip into procrastination and put off working on the rock. By the time the quarterly comes, it’s too late.

Rock Crushing Checklist

• Learn from Past Mistakes: Rock completion should go up over time as you improve your ability to predict.
• Be Realistic: S.M.A.R.T. – Make your rocks Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Specific.
• Bring Context to the Goal: What else is happening this quarter?
• Anticipate Contingencies: State the rock in terms of what you know YOU can accomplish, absent the outside forces and contingencies.
• Help Each Other Cross the Finish Line: The entire leadership team ultimately ‘owns’ rock completion at 80%+. Ask, “What can I do to help?”

Completing your rocks requires more than just good intentions and positive thinking. It takes discipline, focus, and a willingness to adapt and overcome challenges. By staying focused and personally committed, and holding each other accountable, your entire organization may well become a rock crushing machine.

This eventually leads to achieving success in all areas of your life – and living your EOS Life?.

#traction #eos #eosimplementer #eoslife #velocity6 #goalsetting