Recently, one of my clients started using EOS® after he bought a business from his dad. After the purchase was completed and the money deposited in the bank accounts, his dad left to retire in a warm climate. But it wasn’t long before he returned, figuratively flying in the window of the business, dumping on everything, then flying out again. My client called it “Seagull Management.”

Great leadership involves the relentless pursuit of clarity. No assumptions. Just clarity around what needs attention as an organization evolves.

If you’re reading this, you just might be that founder, owner, and visionary who really struggles to let go. The company is your baby. You’ve had a hand in every aspect of it for years, and you don’t know how to feel comfortable unless you keep doing that. If that sounds like you (or the person you work for), don’t worry. You have plenty of company. And there's hope.

Here’s a great quote from Ray Kroc, the entrepreneur who took over the McDonald’s corporation in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Ray said, “I didn’t invent the hamburger. I just took it more seriously than anyone else.”

Right now, countless companies, including our clients, are thriving in these challenging times. They're building buildings, managing money, manufacturing goods, fixing computers, running restaurants, managing properties, distributing goods, and providing services. The list goes on.

These companies excel despite numerous competitors, tough economic conditions, and pricing pressures. Why? Because they take their businesses seriously and run them very well.

A leader may hold the title, but it's the person who leads who excels at coaching and getting the most from his or her employees. If you're on a leadership team, which person are you?

Although many leaders understand that coaching their employees is a large part of their job, few profess to excel at leading, managing, and creating accountability (LMA™). And I've never had a business owner tell me that the reason they started their business was because they loved to manage people. It's no surprise then that "people issues" are one of the common frustrations of leaders, owners, and managers.