Have you ever hired someone you knew was talented, but it somehow didn’t work out?
Maybe they were great on paper, had the experience, and even aligned with your Core Values. But things just never quite clicked. It’s frustrating, expensive, and all too common for entrepreneurial leaders. Running a business with the wrong people in the wrong seats, or even the right people in the wrong seats, will stall growth, strain your culture, and wear you down.
Here’s the good news: people issues don’t have to be a mystery. With the right tools, you can bring clarity to your team, assess alignment quickly, and make confident people decisions that move your business forward.
At EOS, the People Component is one of the Six Key Components of your business. When you strengthen it, everything gets easier.
Why People Problems Aren’t Always “People Problems”
If you’ve ever said, “They just don’t get it,” or “They’re a great person, but…” you’re not alone. Most leaders in entrepreneurial companies face people challenges that feel personal, emotional, and hard to solve. It’s easy to blame the individual. But more often, the real problem is about fit.
The People Component is about getting the Right People in the Right Seats (RPRS). It sounds simple, but what does it actually mean?
- Right People share your company’s Core Values. You trust them, and they strengthen your culture.
- Right Seat means they’re operating in a role that matches their unique skills and drive, and they consistently deliver great results.
When either of those is off, even just a little, it creates friction. Then misunderstandings pile up and accountability drops. You spend more time managing the same issues and less time growing your business.
The good news is that these aren’t necessarily vague personality problems with no solution in sight. They’re alignment issues. And with the right tools, they’re fixable.
Tools That Bring Clarity: People Analyzer and GWC
It’s one thing to say “Right People, Right Seats.” It’s another to figure out what that looks like inside your business. Many leaders rely on gut instinct when hiring, firing, rewarding, and recognizing. That approach can lead to misalignment, frustration, and lost time.
The EOS Toolbox offers practical tools that clarify these decisions. Two of the most powerful are the People Analyzer and Get It, Want It, Capacity to Do It (GWC).
People Analyzer: Assess Core Values Fit with Confidence
Every business has Core Values. But not every person on your team embodies them. The People Analyzer gives you a simple way to assess cultural alignment and see if someone is a true Core Values fit.
Here’s how it works:
- List your company’s Core Values across the top of a chart.
- Add each team member’s name down the side.
- For each person and each Core Value, rate them with:
- + if they consistently live the value
- +/- if they live it sometimes
- – if they rarely or never live it
Next, set a “bar,” the minimum number of plusses someone needs to be a Core Values fit. This gives your leadership team a shared language for evaluating people objectively, not emotionally.
GWC: Get it. Want it. Capacity to do it.
Once you’ve confirmed that someone is a Core Value fit, the next question is whether they are in the right seat. That’s where GWC comes in.
Ask three simple questions about every person in every role:
- Do they Get it? Do they understand the role, the expectations, and how it connects to the bigger picture?
- Do they Want it? Do they truly want to take ownership of the role, or are they just going through the motions?
- Do they have the Capacity to do it? Do they have the time, skills, knowledge, and energy to succeed?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no, ” the person may not be in the right seat. GWC helps you identify the disconnect without blame or emotion. This tool is handy when someone is underperforming and you can’t quite explain why.
Related Reading: GWC – The Difference Between “Capacity” & “Get It”
What Happens When THE Right PERSON IS IN THE RIGHT SEAT
Your business feels lighter when you have the Right People in the Right Seats. Issues get resolved more quickly because people take ownership. Conversations become more focused, and communication improves across the board. You’re no longer spending time chasing accountability. It starts to happen naturally.
You feel the shift in the small moments. Meetings run smoothly. Priorities move forward without constant follow-up. Leaders stop carrying the weight of roles that don’t fit. Instead, they’re supported by a team that understands what’s expected and is energized to deliver.
As the team gains clarity, so does the leadership. Visionaries can step back and think strategically, knowing the day-to-day is covered. Integrators can lead without friction, backed by people who truly fit their roles. The leadership team moves in sync, creating alignment and consistency across the organization.
Getting the People Component right doesn’t just fix people issues. It unlocks the full potential of your business.
Take the Next Step Toward People Clarity
You don’t have to keep guessing when it comes to people decisions. These EOS Tools are simple, proven, and available to help any leadership team strengthen their People Component.
Try the People Analyzer
Download the tool and use it to assess Core Value alignment across your team.
Download the free People Analyzer
Explore the People Component in Depth
Get a free chapter of People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture, Mark O’Donnell, Kelly Knight, and CJ Dube. Part of the EOS Mastery Series, People, gives readers all the tools they need to create a thriving workplace culture and shows why it’s an absolutely essential part of any successful business.
Join the EOS Academy—It’s Free
The EOS Academy is a free platform designed to help entrepreneurial leaders like you get more from their business. It’s packed with tools, videos, and real-world lessons you can use today.
