Why EOS® Rocks Are Essential for Business Growth
Nov
If you’ve had experience with EOS®, you understand that Rocks can elicit both affection and aversion. Your team might cringe when we prioritize them, feel anxious when they’re asked to take ownership, and maybe even curse them under their breath as deadlines approach. But once those Rocks are conquered? They feel a huge sense of accomplishment.
So, what exactly do we mean by Rocks? They’re critical, often non-urgent projects, that require more than just a couple of hours of focus. These are the kinds of important tasks you can’t leave until the last minute. A typical Rock might take 6-10 hours (or more) of focused effort and lies outside the scope of daily tasks. Examples include hiring a key executive, launching a new product, implementing a software system, or identifying acquisition targets.
To help teams visualize this, I often refer to Stephen Covey’s Rock, Pebble, Sand analogy. The main idea: if you tackle your Rocks first, you’ll also find time to handle your pebbles (urgent but important tasks) and fit in some sand (distractions and “fun” activities) as well. Prioritizing Rocks ensures everything else falls into place.
And here’s the thing—EOS clients love Rocks. I recently led two back-to-back sessions with a Maryland-based tech service company, and when we decided to take a brief pause from setting new Rocks, the leadership team practically had withdrawal symptoms. The excitement around Rocks is palpable!
So why are Rocks so effective?
They appeal to our natural desire to achieve meaningful goals and create a sense of accountability. When everyone on the team commits to accomplishing their Rocks, there’s an unspoken drive to deliver. After all, who wants to let the team down?
Rocks also have a compounding effect. Imagine you have a leadership team of five people. If everyone completes three Rocks per quarter, that’s 60 Rocks per year. Think about the impact of achieving 60 meaningful projects in just one year!
That said, setting Rocks isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you may realize there’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed before you can tackle the main project. Also crucial is ensuring your Rocks are SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Otherwise, you risk losing focus and clarity on what you’re working towards.
