S1E18: Get on the Same Page and Go 1,000 Miles per Hour | Andy Atkins & Sue Straw

For some businesses, Running on EOS™ happens gradually. Andy Atkins, CEO and Visionary of 730 Eddy Studios, a video production company, had begun adopting EOS® processes over several years. He was wearing both the Visionary and Integrator™ hats, and struggling to overcome challenges holding his business back. 

In this episode, Andy and Sue Straw, manager and Integrator, share how making the decision to go full throttle with EOS transformed their approach to problem solving and helped them thrive in their roles. 

Key Takeaways:

• Same Page Meetings allow V/I Duos™ to avoid stress and issues down the road.
• When trust is at the foundation of a relationship, conflict can be approached as an opportunity for growth.
• If you feel stuck in your Visionary/Integrator relationship, ask your EOS Implementer® for help.

Some Questions Asked:

• What changes developed in Andy and Sue’s leadership team as they started implementing EOS?
• What characteristics were important for Andy to witness before he was confident in Sue as an Integrator?
• What does conflict resolution look like for Andy and Sue?

Same Page Meetings Will Launch Your Leadership

Andy had been self-implementing EOS for a few years when his company hit a plateau. He decided it was time to go all-in and fully invest in EOS. At first, Andy thought that he could continue filling both the Visionary and Integrator seats; however, by the end of the first quarter running on the system, he decided to fully occupy the Visionary seat. 

Andy reflects that he quickly had a clear idea of who he could trust with the Integrator role. Sue was a natural fit.

Andy and Sue’s Visionary/Integrator relationship is defined by trust, clear communication, and perspective. They agree that one of the most impactful procedures EOS has given them is their Same Page Meetings:

“Our Same Page [Meetings] are my favorite meetings of all because we can just … work through a bunch of [ideas and issues] and we come out of it as a really solidified team … It really helps.” — Andy [12:45]

Andy emphasizes that Same Page Meetings, specifically, have helped Sue and him avoid conflict in their relationship and larger issues in the business.

“We’ve been able to avoid any really big stressful moments because we put them through the system. If it’s an issue that’s going to maybe cause something down the road, it’s probably already been brought up in our [leadership meetings].” — Andy [16:42]

Sue reflects that the reason their Same Page Meetings are so effective is because she and Andy have a relationship as coworkers and friends that is built on trust. This empowers both of them to do the work at which they excel.

If you’re interested in learning how to use the Entrepreneurial Operating System® in your business or how to solve problems effectively with your leadership team, don’t miss this episode of Rocket Fuel™. 

Learn More:

• Andy Atkins | LinkedIn
• Sue Straw | LinkedIn
• 730 Eddy Studios
• “Rocket Fuel” by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters
• Rocket Fuel University™