Book Review: Traction

While the book was evidently written for leaders of organizations, I found much to help me with my own business and it would also be useful for people who are department managers and leaders of smaller groups.

The book is based on the system the author uses with his consulting clients, The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which has six components:

The Vision Component: Do They See What You Are Saying? Too often the leader has a vision but fails to convey it effectively to the team. This way lies certain failure.

The People Component: Surround Yourself with Good People. It’s important not only to have good people on the team, but also that each one is in the “right seat”.

The Data Component: Safety in Numbers. We needn’t be overwhelmed by numbers, but there are just a few we need to know very well. This was a vast relief to me!

The Issues Component: Decide! First, identify what the real issues are and then solve them. Sounds simple? Using the EOS, it actually is.

The Process Component: Finding Your Way. Those rare and successful organizations whose people actually love them tend to have a “way” that governs how they handle their core processes. The “way” must be defined and then followed by all.

The Traction Component: From Luftmensch to Action! Although it’s essential to have all the components covered, this is the one that excited me. The system makes sure you not only identify what has to be done and when it needs to be done, but recognize when it actually IS done (not always as obvious as you may think).

I made notes as I read this book and have actually put some of the ideas into action, with positive results. All the more reason to try the rest.

Whether you lead a team or a company, or work completely by yourself,Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business will give you practical help to accomplish what needs to be done