S1E15: Adam Radulovic | Harness Passion with Process

Adam Radulovic, CEO of XL.net, dives into the importance of leading with vision, communication, passion, and structure. Adam shares how EOS® has helped him initiate hard conversations that have resulted in the strengthening of his business.

Adam excels at helping small- and medium-sized businesses harness technology for increased efficiency. He has experience working in both Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, and has recognized that where large companies thrive, small businesses often struggle. For example, small businesses often need help standardizing their processes.

He and his team at XL.net use technology to help small businesses funnel their passion into tools and processes that help them run more systematically.

Adam has been drawn to entrepreneurship since he was a boy. He recalls immigrating to Utah from communist Yugoslavia with his parents when he was 11 years old and delving into how to run a business shortly after. Since then, he’s been unstoppable.

Don’t Cancel Plans, Revamp Them

Like most entrepreneurs, Adam has had his fair share of experiences with both good and bad leaders. In addition to his parents, one of the most impressive examples of leadership he has encountered came from a former boss. In their first meeting together, his boss told him that his goal was for Adam to replace him. 

Strong leaders operate with a mentality of abundance. Believe in your team and invest in each of its members. Leaders aren’t afraid to empower others to become successful.

Adam notes that this boss also excelled at painting a clear vision and acting with persistence and excellence in pursuit of that vision.

[12:22] “‘We can’t’ is not a phrase that we ever used.” 

When good leaders hit roadblocks, they don’t call it a day. Re-engineer your plan, learn from what did and what did not work, and then move forward.

See Something, Say Something

Adam is exceptionally comfortable with change, a strength that has served him well his entire life. One moment in which he recognized that he needed to change his leadership occurred when he didn’t try to snuff out a culture problem in his company until it was too late.

[21:16] “When you notice something, talk about it.”

Adam admits these conversations aren’t easy, but they’re better than letting something slide that will ultimately hurt you and your business. Big problems are caused by things you don’t talk about.

Simplify Your Leadership With A Framework

Adam says that before XL.net began implementing EOS, everyone was accountable for everything 24/7 in the business. And their to-do lists were only growing.

He says EOS helped him focus on the essentials of how to run a business well — and to do so simply.

[23:53] “We had nothing coming in. We had passion. . . we had just infinite passion where we could work 80 hour weeks. We needed to be molded and guided in the right direction.”

Adam encourages today’s young leaders to take action now and grow your business.

Learn More:

• XL.net

Also Mentioned In This Episode:

Traction by Gino Wickman

Vistage CEO group