Distracting Ideas Un-focus CEOs
In this late-night video, I talk about Shiny Object Syndrome, a phenomenon that affects CEOs and business owners. It’s that urge to chase exciting new ideas, even if it means sacrificing growth and profitability for the thrill of the chase.
Shiny Objects are ideas and opportunities that excite business owners and distract them from executing their existing, profitable business model. One of the core ideas of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) is to separate the roles of the Visionary and Integrator.
This separation protects the company from the chaos of responding to every new shiny object. The Visionary is all about big ideas and relationships, while the Integrator focuses on making sure the business executes its plan in a disciplined and sustainable way.
The Function Ownership Chart™ can help reinforce this structure by clearly defining who owns each critical function in the business. By assigning ownership, the tool ensures that shiny objects don’t derail the organization.
A Lesson From Puppy School
A few years ago, our family got a couple of puppies for my daughter’s birthday. We soon realized that these puppies needed serious training, so we took them to a dog training school.
The trainer told us that while it was called a “dog school” for marketing purposes, their real mission was to train dog owners! If the masters were well-trained, the dogs would follow suit.
As an EOS coach, my job is a bit like that dog trainer. I focus on training the CEO first. Once the CEO is aligned and focused, the rest of the leadership team can execute with the discipline needed to keep the business on track.
The Function Ownership Chart becomes a vital part of this training. It helps clarify roles across the organization, ensuring that everyone understands their responsibilities and how they contribute to the bigger picture. This clarity reduces the temptation to chase distractions and reinforces accountability across the leadership team.
At the end of the day, no shiny object is exciting enough to keep me up all night, so I’ll wrap it up here.
Do you find yourself chasing shiny objects in your business? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about how to stay focused!
