I first encountered EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) back in 2019, toward the end of my time running Forget Computers. I liked it immediately. So much so that when we were acquired by Ntiva, I was thrilled to find they were already implementing it. Later, during my time at Addigy, there it was again.
Now, with my consulting at Rethink Tech and my new startup, Smplify, I’ve become reacquainted with the process — specifically the critical role of the Integrator.
But over the past week, in several conversations, I’ve encountered EOS skeptics. Their feedback is usually some version of:
“It’s too rigid.”
“It constrains the business.”
“It just creates more work and meetings for my team.”
If you feel that way, I have some news: You’re right. If EOS is implemented poorly, it is a burden. But the reality is that when it feels like it’s slowing you down, it’s usually because you’re trying to drive with the handbrake on.
I’ve written before about how technology and process are like the brakes on a car.
Why does a Porsche have massive, high-performance brakes? It’s not so you can drive slowly. It’s so that you have the confidence to drive 200 mph. Without the ability to stop or corner reliably, you’d never dare to push the engine to its limit.
EOS is the braking system for your business. It provides the control and stability required to scale.
When you have the right brakes, you finally have the permission to pour on the gas.
The pushback against EOS usually comes from a misunderstanding of its simplicity. In a world of “AI-everything” and complex SaaS stacks, people often discount solutions that seem too basic. They think a “real” solution must be complex.
But the “extra work” people complain about — the Level 10 meetings, the Scorecards, the Rocks — isn’t “extra” work. It is the work.
When EOS is working correctly:
Leadership is in total alignment: Everyone agrees on the long-term vision and the 90-day priorities. No more “shadow projects” or conflicting goals.
The Integrator provides the glue: They turn the Visionary’s big ideas into a repeatable, scalable reality.
Clarity replaces anxiety: Every person in the company knows exactly what they are responsible for and what “success” looks like.
If you feel like EOS is “constraining” your business, ask yourself:
Is the system too rigid, or is your leadership team resisting accountability?
The “constraint” people feel is often just the discomfort of having to be disciplined. But that discipline is what creates freedom. It’s what allows the founder to step away from day-to-day operations and enables the team to move forward without waiting for permission.
At Smplify, we focus on making things... well, simple. EOS fits that ethos perfectly. It’s a simple framework for a complex world.
If you’re sitting on the fence or feeling frustrated with the process, check your handbrake. Are you using the system to gain control so you can floor it? Or are you just adding meetings for the sake of meetings?
Stop over-complicating it. Build the brakes, then drive as fast as you can.
The Right People in the Right Seats: If the meetings feel like a slog, you might have the wrong people in the room.
Less is More: If your V/TO (Vision/Traction Organizer) has 15 goals, you have zero goals. Keep it to 3-7.
Trust the Integrator: If you’re a Visionary, let your Integrator actually integrate.
What has your experience been with EOS? Is it a speed booster or a speed bump? Hit reply and let me know.
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