Skip to content
  • What is an EOS Implementer?
  • Find an EOS Implementer
  • Login to Base Camp
Menu
  • What is an EOS Implementer?
  • Find an EOS Implementer
  • Login to Base Camp
Linkedin
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
  • What is EOS?
  • Free Tools
  • Resources
    • Base Camp
    • Blog
    • Books
    • Lead Now
    • The EOS Pulse™
    • Podcast
    • Software
    • Speakers
    • Webinars
  • EOS Conference
  • Get Started
  • Find an EOS Implementer
  • Login to Base Camp
Menu
  • What is EOS?
  • Free Tools
  • Resources
    • Base Camp
    • Blog
    • Books
    • Lead Now
    • The EOS Pulse™
    • Podcast
    • Software
    • Speakers
    • Webinars
  • EOS Conference
  • Get Started
  • Find an EOS Implementer
  • Login to Base Camp
  • Blog

A SIMPLE QUESTION TO KEEP YOUR ORGANIZATION HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE

  • by Mike Paton
  • | March 28, 2019
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Two epidemics kill cultures: end runs and unresolved complaining. Both waste time and energy, and are ultimately toxic to the health and productivity of your company. Luckily, these epidemics can be cured by asking a simple, powerful question.

Epidemic #1: The End Run

An end run happens when an employee goes around a manager to complain or get a better/different answer to his or her problem. At the conclusion of the end run, if you don’t ask the question, you’re going to start the spread of a plague in your organization.

If you’re the recipient of the end run, you can listen and coach, but you should never make a decision. When you decide, you cut the manager in question off at the knees and leave him or her powerless to do the job he or she is there to do. Listen carefully, and at the end of the conversation, ask the question.

Epidemic #2: Unproductive Complaining

Unproductive complaining is when someone is not sharing an issue to solve it, but is instead politicking, backstabbing, and/or positioning. Every organization seems to have one person everyone complains to. That person becomes the “complaint department.”

When you receive unproductive complaining, you’re being exposed to a poison. If you don’t ask the question at the end of the complaining, you leave that poison in your organization to grow and spread. At the conclusion of the complaint, ask the question, and you stop it in its tracks.

The Question

So, what’s the question that you need to ask at the end of an end run, or after unproductive complaining? It’s simply this:

“Are you going to tell ’em, or am I going to tell ’em? Because one of us needs to tell ’em.”

I promise you this works. This question will wipe out end runs and unproductive complaining organization-wide within a month.

Take a moment and write this question down on a piece of paper. Keep it on your desk for the next time someone comes to you with an end run or an unproductive complaint. You’ll see exactly what I mean.

Next Steps

  • Learn more tips for being a great leader and manager of your employees by downloading a free chapter of How to Be a Great Boss.
  • Learn to make decisions faster and better by downloading a copy of our free eBook, Decide!
  • Download a free chapter of How to Be a Great Boss to learn how to lead, manage, and create accountability on your team.

{{cta(‘4c08854a-713c-4c93-a3f4-14962846d2f7’)}}

PrevPreviousDiscipline Shouldn’t Be Scary
NextConfronting An Inefficient Team MemberNext

Subscribe to the EOS Blog

Related Posts

What’s in Your V/TO?

Al Moscardelli March 4, 2021

The Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO™) is probably the most important document you’ll complete if you’re running your business on EOS®.

Read on »
where did the big issues go?

Where Did The Big Issues Go???

Michael Halperin March 1, 2021

EOS establishes a healthy foundation for more easily resolving the most common business issues or – better yet – avoiding them altogether.

Read on »
accountable teams

Driving Accountability Through LMA™

Jim Coyle February 22, 2021

As a business you don’t need perfect policies and processes to have an accountable team, what you do need is leadership and management.

Read on »

What is EOS?

  • EOS Model
  • EOS Process
  • EOS Toolbox
  • History & Team

Get Started

BLOG

Resources

  • Base Camp
  • Books
  • Speakers
  • Webinars

Free Tools

2021 EOS Conference

Why EOS?

  • Testimonials
  • Business Spotlights
  • Meet EOS Implementers

Training

  • What is an EOS Implementer?

FIND an IMPLEMENTER

GET IN TOUCH

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Media & Promotion Guidelines
  • EOS Software
  • Jobs
Linkedin
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram

©2021 EOS Worldwide | All Rights Reserved | 1-877-367-1877 (USA) | +1-248-278-8220 (Worldwide)

Subscribe to the EOS Blog:

Search the EOS Worldwide Blog

Search
Generic filters
 Tweet
 Share
 Copy
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 Copy
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 LinkedIn
 Copy
 E-mail