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4 Lessons to Master Setting Rocks in EOS

4 Ways I Suck at Setting Rocks

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4 Lessons Learned About Setting Rocks

Setting Rocks is one of the most powerful tools in the EOS® Toolbox, but it’s also one of the most challenging to master. If you’ve ever struggled with defining, tracking, or completing Rocks, you’re not alone. Here are four hard lessons that can help you improve your Rock-setting process and get better results for your team.

Lesson 1: Define What “Done” Looks Like

One of the biggest mistakes teams make is failing to clearly define what “done” means for a Rock. Without a measurable, black-and-white definition of success, it’s easy to get to the end of the quarter and realize the Rock isn’t truly complete.

Take the time to document what “done” looks like. Be specific and measurable. For example, instead of saying, “Improve the onboarding process,” define it as, “Document and implement a new onboarding process with three training modules and a feedback loop.” When you know exactly what success looks like, it’s easier to create a plan to get there.

Lesson 2: Break It Down Into Milestones

Even with a clear definition of “done,” Rocks can feel overwhelming without a plan. That’s why it’s critical to break each Rock into 3–10 milestones or steps, complete with due dates throughout the quarter. This gives you a roadmap to follow and makes it easier to track progress during your weekly Level 10 Meeting™.

When you document these milestones, you can quickly identify whether you’re on track or off track. This proactive approach reduces stress and ensures you’re consistently moving toward completion.

Lesson 3: Conduct a Mid-Quarter Rock Review

Another common challenge is losing visibility into what everyone else is working on. While you may see Rock titles and updates during your Level 10 Meeting™, it’s often hard to understand the actual work being done.

A mid-quarter Rock review can solve this. Around the sixth or seventh week of the quarter, schedule a two-hour meeting with your leadership team to focus solely on company Rocks. Spend 20 minutes on each Rock, and ask team members to show their work. For example:

  • If the Rock involves documenting a process, review the draft or outline.
  • If it’s about hiring, look at the candidate pipeline and onboarding steps.
  • If it’s tied to sales, review proposals or the list of prospects.

This open and honest review allows the team to provide insights, course-correct if needed, and ensure everyone is aligned.

Lesson 4: Improve Your Prediction Skills

One of the toughest parts of setting Rocks is accurately predicting your capacity. It’s easy to overcommit at the start of the quarter, only to find that unexpected projects or initiatives take up most of your time.

Hindsight is 20/20, so use past quarters to learn and adjust. Build in extra capacity for unknowns or new opportunities that may arise. By being realistic about what you can handle, you’ll set yourself up for success and avoid the frustration of unfinished Rocks.

Take the Next Step

Setting Rocks is a skill that takes time and practice to master. By defining “done,” breaking Rocks into milestones, conducting mid-quarter reviews, and improving your predictions, you can set your team up for success.

Need help refining your Rock-setting process or navigating other EOS® tools? Schedule a free coaching session to get the guidance you need to achieve your goals.

Maximize Your Accountability Chart with EOS

Maximize Your Accountability Chart in EOS®

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Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Accountability Chart

The Accountability Chart is a cornerstone of the EOS® framework, yet many teams overlook its full potential. Here are three powerful ways to leverage your Accountability Chart that you might not be using yet.

1. Visualize New Roles

When you’re planning to hire a new team member or create a new role, such as a virtual assistant, it’s crucial to incorporate this into your Accountability Chart. By drafting the role on the chart, your team gains a clear visual of how this new person will interact with the rest of the team and what their responsibilities will be. This clarity helps everyone understand the new dynamics and expectations.

2. Solve Issues with IDS

During your Level 10 Meeting™, when you’re using the Identify, Discuss, and Solve (IDS) process to tackle recurring issues, turn to your Accountability Chart. Check who is responsible for the process in question. If it’s not clearly assigned on the chart, that might be why the issue persists. Update the chart to reflect ownership and hold the responsible person accountable. This ensures that every process has a clear owner, reducing confusion and improving accountability.

3. Review During Quarterly Conversations

In your quarterly one-on-one conversations, make it a habit to review the Accountability Chart. Ask if anything has evolved in the team member’s role over the past 90 days. Companies using EOS® often experience growth and change, so it’s essential to revisit and update the chart regularly. This practice keeps roles and responsibilities aligned with the company’s current needs and goals.

By using your Accountability Chart in these ways, you can enhance clarity, accountability, and alignment within your team. Ready to take your EOS® implementation to the next level? Schedule a coaching session today and unlock the full potential of your team.

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What Does Done Really Mean Turn Vague Rocks into SMART Ones

Transform Vague Goals into SMART Rocks

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Transforming Vague Goals into SMART Rocks

Have you ever found yourself at the end of a quarter, sitting around the conference table with your leadership team, only to realize that everyone had a different interpretation of what a completed Rock should look like? This scenario is all too common, but there’s a solution: SMART Rocks.

Understanding SMART Rocks

SMART Rocks are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. They provide clarity and direction, ensuring everyone knows exactly what ‘done’ looks like. Let’s explore how to transform vague goals into SMART Rocks with a couple of examples.

Example 1: From Vague to Specific

Consider the Rock: “Sit with admins to look for efficiency improvements.” While the sentiment is clear, the outcome is not. What does ‘done’ look like here? Simply making a list of potential improvements is too vague.

Instead, try this: “Implement three strategies to improve efficiencies for operations.” This version not only focuses on finding efficiencies but also on implementing them within the quarter. Adding a specific number provides a clear target and direction.

Example 2: Adding Measurable Metrics

Another common vague Rock is: “Build pipeline growth.” But how much growth? By one? By 100%?

Revise it to: “Add five qualified builders to the network.” This specific target gives you a clear goal and helps focus your efforts. You might need to reach out to 20 potential builders to achieve this, but the clarity of the target makes it manageable.

The Power of Clarity

SMART Rocks don’t happen by chance. They require thoughtful discussion and clarity. Taking a clarity break or collaborating with a team member can help define what ‘done’ looks like and how to measure it. Once you master this discipline, your Rocks will start to gain real traction.

Need Help with Your Rocks?

If you’re ever stuck with a Rock or need guidance on making it more specific, feel free to jump on my calendar. Let’s work together to ensure your Rocks are SMART and actionable.

Schedule a Free Session Now