How to Rollout EOS to Your Entire Team Like a True Visionary

Your senior leadership team has mastered EOS.

Now comes an exciting–and perhaps scary–milestone in your implementation of EOS: it’s time to teach the rest of the company how to do it.

We call this the “rollout,” and it begins with a presentation where all senior leaders take part in teaching one aspect of the system to your employees.

Whether you do the rollout to one layer of management at a time or use another approach, there are a few things you can do to make sure the process goes as smoothly and successfully as possible.

Here are six keys to a successful EOS rollout:

1. Make sure every one of your senior leaders knows the Five Foundational Tools and your Core Values inside and out.

This means not just knowing the tools and how to use them, but also having a prepared explanation for each one ready to go at any moment. The same goes for your Core Values. It’s not enough to be able to list them; you must also be able to explain what they mean and what living them looks like in your organization.

2. Prepare printed copies of your Core Values and the Five Foundational Tools.

Every employee in your organization should receive a sheet that lists and explains your Core Values and one that introduces the Five Foundational Tools. (Click here for sample sheets.)  If you really want to drive your message home, have poster-sized versions printed and hang them in public areas as a constant reminder to everyone of who you are and what you are about.

3. Develop a rollout presentation and have every member of your senior leadership team take responsibility for conducting a portion of it.

This packs a much bigger punch than the CEO or the President making a long, boring speech that gets no one excited about EOS. Involving the entire senior leadership team shows your workforce that you have become a healthy, cohesive team.  It demonstrates that you are unified around a mission to achieve the company’s vision, and you are inviting them to join you on that quest. (Click here for sample agenda.)

Once you’ve figured out which topics will be addressed by whom and everyone has written his or her speech, then practice, practice, practice! Do dress rehearsals with the entire team. The more you practice, the more confident you will be when you give your talk.  And confidence is key if you want to get your workforce as fired up about EOS as you are.

Consider giving some of your key thought leaders a sneak preview.

If you have a few exceptional employees who are thought leaders and are especially strong on your Core Values, give them a preview of your presentation. You might receive some helpful feedback from these folks, and it will give you another chance to rehearse.

5. Set a reasonable time frame for the rollout.

Don’t be in too big a hurry to roll this out.  You don’t want to rush it and deliver a half-baked presentation. Take the time to get it down pat so it has maximum impact.

And remember that it took you and your team around two months (in addition to three all-day sessions with your implementer) to learn what you are about to teach. Make sure you allow ample time for everyone else to fully catch on.

6. After your initial presentation, try to over-communicate your message.

Here’s a hint: it can’t be done!  There is no way to repeat yourself enough. Repetition is critical to creating clarity. People will have to hear you say words like “vision” and “core values” at least seven times before they begin to take notice and really start to listen.

The advice I give my clients is, “Tell ‘em seven times, seven ways.” After your rollout meeting, keep talking incessantly about EOS in your weekly Level 10 meetings, in company newsletters, in emails from the Visionary and/or Integrator, and in your one-on-one conversations. If you think you may be repeating yourself too much, you’ll probably be doing it almost enough.

One final point to remember before you kick off your rollout: this is the beginning of a process. It will take about two years for this system to fully settle in and become the backbone of your culture.  But ask anybody who has seen the process through to the end, and they will tell you–it is absolutely worth the wait!