3 top tips from Adam Harris:
1. Never stop growing.
So, you know, I think, again, if we look at it from an EOS perspective when you’re working with an implementer, the tools, the processes, the model allows for that consistent level of evergreen learning. You learn, but you’re then looking to kind of get to the mastery stage, I think from a, from any of them kind of again, again, moves on to the personal side, which is, what am I doing individually, where I’m growing? So what am I doing that is getting me out of my comfort zone, out of my own levels of assumptions out of my own levels of judgment, to challenge my thought processes, my physical energy, and my mental capacity? So, you know, the aspects of being comfortable with being uncomfortable. So, I get, you know, putting yourself in situations going, okay. Because, that that, for me is where the magic happens. The magic happens when we’re on the edge of our comfort zone. You know, we all know, when we look at a situation that we haven’t been in before, we’re looking at it from a level of trepidation, because we don’t know what the outcomes going to be. Right? Once we’ve done it, whatever it is, it’s never as bad as we think it’s that it was going to be right, yeah. So, if we’re able to put ourselves in that situation, on a consistent basis, then actually, what we’re doing is, is that we’re pushing our own boundaries. We’re challenging like I say, our mental or physical or spiritual or emotional perspectives and assumptions. And that’s that that is where the growth comes from.
2. Make a journal and reflect.
So when I was up last with you, Debra, I picked up the EOS life journal and planner, which I’m really looking forward to starting on Wednesday after my quarterly meeting with my team. I wrote a book six years ago called the check-in strategy journal. I’ve used other journals throughout the time and for me what I find that I love about them is it’s the ability to be able to hit the pause button to take a step back and just go okay, so based on what I was, was good to do. Have I done it? Have I achieved it? what’s working, and what’s not working? Okay, cool. Now as I plan to move forward, how what do I need to do so You know, it from an EOS terms perspective, we’re doing this on a quarterly basis with the meeting pulse, which is one of the reasons why you know, EOS works. And those people that are listening to it know, because you’ve got the 90-day world, and you’re then moving into the level 10 world, I think they’re for me taking a step further, is this something that about the personal ownership and accountability of being able to, to check in with yourself and kind of go, Okay, what do I need to do? How am I doing it? What works? What doesn’t work? For me? In the current journal that I’ve been using the question prompts gets me to do things that are important that I probably wouldn’t do if I wasn’t getting the prompt. So who’s the one person I need to, to thank? Or show a sign of appreciation? Okay. Now, I’m not an Gratified. You know, somebody doesn’t give gratitude. But actually, what it does do is it allows me to just stop and pause and go, actually, who in my life at this moment in time, do I need to influence? You know, do I need to say thank you, thank you, too. Because actually, those small acts are really, really important for them, but actually, also, for me, so I think the more we can stay on the path of with the trajectory that we want to go, I think that really, really works.
3. Have a mentor.
I think it’s really important to have one or two mentors from your vertical sector, whom you can build a rapport and a relationship with and ensure that you’re probably meeting them once a quarter just to be able to kind of go, hey, look, this is where we’re at. Just give me your take on things. Do you know when you did this before? What did you do? So, I think it becomes quite good. I suppose it’s a variation of the clarity break, you know, one of the tools that we use, but actually it’s about getting a different perspective, I often find that leaders within organizations are so tunneled vision, because they’re dealing with everything they’ve got finding a way of getting, you know, turning the kaleidoscope and having the ability to be able to see a different viewpoint is really key. My recommendation would be is that the visionary and the integrator, find their own independent mentors.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
implementer, work, people, conversation, EOS, organizations, mastermind group, important, called, coach, life, thinking, stage, ability, holding, years, online, bit, Clifton strengths finder, mentor
Adam Harris 00:00
You know, you and I connect really well, because there’s a huge level of similarities. This guy was completely the opposite. I was resisting and resisting. And somebody just kind of like turned to me and goes, Do you not realize that and that you’re going to learn the most amount from the people that are not like you.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 00:14
So, Good morning and welcome to another episode of Better Business, Better Life. Today, I am joined again by Adam Harris, who is the founder of Frank and Fearless, but now also professional EOS implementer, one of only three of us here in New Zealand, so super excited to have him back on the show. Welcome, Adam.
Adam Harris 00:30
Thank you very much. Really glad to be here.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 00:32
Yeah. So last time we spoke was quite a while ago, and although you had been using kind of EOS in your business, you hadn’t officially joined the fold. And now you’re actually one of us, one of the community one professional EOS inventors. Why? Why did you decide to take that path?
Adam Harris 00:46
Oh, dear. So EOS, for me, has been a big part of my life. It’s also been a big part of a number of my clients over the years. And I kind of got to the stage. It was probably further to a conversation actually, this podcast kind of reignited some, some thought processes are like going, where and when do I do my best work. So it kind of within Eos, as we know, we talk about doing what you love with people that you love. And I kind of reflected on that go, Where do I do my best work that I get the most amount of reward for me. And actually, it’s when I’m with a group of people. And I’m facilitating, and I’m holding the space, allowing them to enter the danger zone, to talk about the things that they really need to talk about that maybe they haven’t been. I had also just was in the process of reading EOS life. And it helped me understand that part of what we’d already done was moving towards EOS life. But the work aspect wasn’t something that I necessarily got quite quite right. And then the final thing to be honest, was I was on the conversation with a former colleague of mine, who is also an EOS implementer in the US. And that conversation was just, that was the conversation that allowed me to know what I was already thinking and gave me the allow me to give myself that permission to kind of go actually, you know what, let’s just do it. This is what this is what you’re born to do. So yeah,
Debra Chantry-Taylor 02:21
Perfect. And you know, this EOS life thing. So for those of you who haven’t read the book, the US life is written by Gino Wickman, who also wrote traction. And it’s very much about how you live your ideal entrepreneurial life, not only in a business sense, but also in a personal sense. And you’ve got a really interesting journey, haven’t you in terms of your, your life, your personal life? Yeah. So
Adam Harris 02:40
I first came across CEOs. About six years ago now, I used to be a Vistage or tech chair, running mastermind groups for Chief execs and MDs. And a client of mine, or a member said, Hey, I’ve just come across this book called Traction. We want to implement it into our business. We need somebody can you do it? I’m like, Yeah, cool. So went through fun and loved pretty much within the first session. Whilst there’s nothing massively revolutionary new in it, the fact that it’s all put together the simplicity, but also for me that the thing that I loved was the ability to be able to cascade through an organization, I think a lot of times, in my experience of working with organizations is that the strategic conversations happen at the top table, but then getting everybody on board, you know, as always been a challenge. So I saw that was a big thing. I actually helped a further kind of 12 organizations go through us, unofficially. And one of the a couple of times, I’ve actually co facilitated and I’ve always been a massive fan of CO facilitating, or CO chairing, or speaking on stage with two people, I just I get energy from other people. And the lady shout out to Alice Jordan. Alice said, Okay, I actually, I really love this as well, I’m going to become an EOS implementer. I feel as if I need a company to kind of try with, she said, Do you know anybody and I’m like, pick me. So at the time, it was myself and my wife running the business was called Fresh mindset, which then became Frank and fearless. And to cut a long story short, our 10 year vision, because we had this slogan, which was the business is the business of the family. So everything that we were doing was to cement the family short term, medium term or long term. And our 10 year vision was to actually live a nomadic life. So the concept around nomadic life is is that we would have online businesses set up and we weren’t fixated on a particular geographical location, we could travel around, see the world and 10 years Is was because our kids, hopefully Touchwood will have left home by that point.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 05:05
But yeah, hopefully,
Adam Harris 05:08
one of the things they say within EOS is be careful what you wish for. And then within probably about 12 months, we’d set ourselves a target of go, right. Okay, we felt as if we needed a move for the family. We were based in Nottingham, the UK Robin Hood Country. We were looking at moving to the south of England to change the kids school. And then fortuitously there was an opportunity for us to kind of move over here to New Zealand.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 05:35
And that’s where I am now. And, and part of New Zealand,
Adam Harris 05:39
I am in a place called New Plymouth. Some people may have heard of Mount Taranaki, formerly mount Egmont. But out of the way, but actually quality life here is just Yeah, I love it. I love it.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 05:53
I think last time we kind of caught up you were just coming back from a tennis tennis lesson, something in the middle of day, which is fantastic.
Adam Harris 05:58
Yeah. And actually, you know, interestingly, just before I got on this call, I had my level 10 meeting with my wife, and we were, we were just re reevaluating the wants and needs. And actually, I think we’re really quite hard on ourselves, but just kind of looking consistently again, okay, look, what do we want to do more of? What do we want to kind of do less off? You know, and I think it’s only been highlighted even further, since you know, EOS life and listening to it in time for other pursuits, you know, what are the things that you always say that are, if only we had time to do this, this and this, you know, one of my one of my rocks for this quarter has been to not do any delivery work on a Friday, to give me the chance to, a to spend more time with my wife be the assembly at school is always on a Friday at kind of like two o’clock. So, you know, trying to make sure that I’m there for the kids. But that also for myself as well, kind of going, okay, you know, I need to go on a long walk, I need to kind of detach myself. Fridays is, is for me trying to, you know, is to not do that. So, yeah, really important.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 07:11
And it’s interesting, because that whole time to pursue other passions thing is, people say, Oh, it’s easy for us, because we are implementers, we’re consultants, therefore, we can kind of plan our life around that. But it’s actually true of any business. I mean, you and I both run some pretty big businesses. And if you don’t make the time for it, it will never happen. But you can make the time for it provided you’ve got the T the right team around you doing the right things being held accountable discipline, that kind of stuff. Yeah, I think,
Adam Harris 07:38
I think a large part of it actually comes into the narrative that we tell ourselves. So the word be us why I banned from my vocabulary about four years ago, because at the end of the day sort of choice, you know, as implementers in, in theory, we were running our own businesses. There’s always stuff to do, you know, whatever organization you’re in, whether you’re whether you own it, or whether you’re employed is that, you know, there’s always stuff to do. And we can we can convince ourselves of, well, I’m just too full arm and I’ve just got too much to do on my to do list is everything like that, but actually getting to the stage of the discipline, you know, in the delegate and elevate tools, and you know, right people, right seats, accountability chart, actually, when we start taking that step back, we can actually create the time and actually, when we make it a priority, we realize that we can be personally more effective by when we’re doing something we really love will actually focus better in other areas, because we don’t want to dilute the chance and the opportunity to do what we feel is important for us. I’ve still got a long way to go in actually getting to the stage of you know, of some new hobbies and some new bits and pieces. But I know that I’m far better now than I have been previously.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 09:01
Yeah, I’ll be the same myself. I mean, I don’t think I’ll ever be particularly great at it. But I must admit that I have, I definitely make time on the weekends now to actually go off and do things I do make time throughout the week to do the things are important to me like the gym and the walking and those bits that keep you nice and healthy. So some people some of our listeners may or may not have actually seen us kind of up on stage if you like online, working together. And we’re both a wee bit similar, right. We’re both full of energy. We both love to kind of share the knowledge that we have. I think we’re both trained actors as well, aren’t we? You’re a trained actor.
Adam Harris 09:32
I am indeed a thespian. Yes, yes,
Debra Chantry-Taylor 09:35
Me too. Okay, cool. So I guess people will kind of wonder But what does that translate to in the session room because it sounds like we love to talk. But actually, you know, coaching, facilitating is not really about talking, is it?
Adam Harris 09:48
No. You know, I’ve been a professional coach for 15 years. Did a lot of my work through vintage or tech known here in Australia and using And so I’ve had a huge amount of of training and development. And I think that coupled with my, my personality and my my own core values, I’ve kind of learned to navigate as a, you know, as a facilitator within the room. And maybe this is why the reason why I love it so much is that a couple of things for me are really important. So I kind of work on the on the premise that often the less I say, the more effective the meeting has been. Because I’m holding this, you know, I’m there and employed and working with the organization to hold the space to give the individuals and the collective the permission to say the things that they probably wouldn’t say if they were on their own. So I think for one thing is, is that actually it’s about holding the space. The second thing is, is that actually, there’s often some really subtle things that can be done. I think, for me, I’ve just found that it’s, it’s just inherent within me, probably because of a high empath, but sometimes it’s just a look, sometimes it’s just kind of, you know, stood behind somebody, and that just physical, physical presence, just allows them to go somewhere that maybe they wouldn’t have gone before, sometimes it’s a slight touch on the shoulder, which is almost the invitation to kind of say something. I learned a phrase, you know, many years ago, which is just hold strong for me for, you know, the test of time, let the silence do the heavy lifting. So sometimes it’s whether it’d be me or there’d be somebody else’s that to almost, you know, pull the pin out of the grenade, it gets thrown into the middle of the room. And then knowing that I’m not going to be the person that’s going to speak next, you know, it’s kind of almost this, this energy, sometimes it’s positive. Sometimes it’s the there’s, there’s tension, and just knowing that I’m not going to be the one that’s going to speak. So somebody else will then find the need, or the courage to step to then speak and have the conversation. Actually, what that does is it allows us to kind of peel away the onion skin, and go to some places that we definitely need to go to that maybe we’ve been preventing anything. For me, that’s a real key part of the role of the facilitator is how do we ensure that we’re having deeper, more meaningful conversations? And the other thing is, is that I kind of have this thing in my mind. If I feel uncomfortable, then we’re playing in exactly the right space. Right? Because if, if I feel uncomfortable, which doesn’t happen very often, but um, I’m always pushing towards that, that space. Through the questions that I asked him the challenges, etc, then we’re working on the serious, you know, the serious work, you know, you talk about the elephant in the room, and is that there’s, there’s a huge similarities that we need to get to the stage of having the conversation and talking about the things that are the most important with the most important people. Now, because if we don’t talk about it now is only going to be something that we’re going to come back to in the next quarter, or the next annual, the sooner we can start having those conversations, the more effective we can be and be able to move forward.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 13:23
And often, if they’re left for that period of time, they get bigger, right? They’ve got more issues, though everything around them gets even more murky. So
Adam Harris 13:31
Yeah, I think often, you know, this is the, you know, this is the true benefit of, of having an external implementer. Because their fundamental role is to ensure that you achieve what it is that you want to achieve. You know, we don’t we don’t take any prisoners, we don’t necessarily don’t have the necessarily the same emotional involvement. So that challenge or that ability at times to be able to kind of go, Hey, look, I’m gonna call bullshit now. Because, you know, that rock or that review that you’ve just done there, I think you’re just being a little bit soft. What’s the issue? You know, what’s the issue that sitting behind the issue? And actually, if we can, if we can really make sure that we’re at we accelerate those conversations, then, you know, we were just ended up the ability to be able to get to where we need to get to is or we get there faster? Is there going to be some collateral damage along the way? Yes, but that’s part of the process. And, you know, I think, I think often I’ve observed with self implementers is that they almost try and protect too much. Which doesn’t actually it might it doesn’t serve them in the long run it just like you say it delays the inevitable.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 14:45
Yeah, absolutely. So if you had to describe your EOS superpower if you’re like, what would you say it is?
Adam Harris 14:54
I will I pick this up from what other people say about me. So if you kind of troll My LinkedIn recommendations or you kind of watched the video testimonials, people say about me is that I just have this innate ability to be able to ask the right questions at the right time. And what that means is, is that so I’m intently listening for what is being said often what’s not being said. And actually, it’s, it’s picking up on people’s body languages as well. And I can do that personally, I can do that as well online as I can do face to face makes no difference to me. I’m kind of in I’m kind of tuning myself to where and what’s going on. So I I’m one I’ve got that ability is that it’s then a case of articulating the right conversation. Sorry, the right question. Which kind of does, you know, the typical response that I typically tend to get is something along the lines of, oh, that’s a really hard question. Or, Adam, why the hell are you asking me that? Or, you know, just so I’m kind of just knocking them off their perch a little bit, but I’m doing it with the intent of actually getting them to move themselves move themselves forward. So that’s kind of my my superpower, is to be able to ask the killer question to the right person at the right time.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 16:29
And I can attest to that, because I know that you have actually done a bit of coaching, sort of, not formally, but informally with me around some of the things that I have. So I, I definitely second that it’s a it’s a very unique skill. And, and I do, because we mostly engage online. So it is, it is fascinating, you really have got that online space, really sorted, I mean, I do it, I don’t know that I feel so comfortable with it, but I do do it, you just seem to cut it comes naturally to you, and you don’t miss out on anything, regardless of that online environment.
Adam Harris 16:57
Yeah, there’s only two people that do kind of miss out on and that’s my kids, because I’m too emotionally involved. And I think I had conversations with coaches previously, and you know, they were coming out of coaching sessions. You know, I can’t believe such as such as, like, I have this real great ability to be able to detach myself and kind of go, I’m here to serve within the time that we’re together. But I can’t take on the energy of what’s going on for you. Because if I do, then actually, I’m not gonna, I’m not being able to kind of serve. So a lot, don’t get me wrong, I come out of, you know, focus days in session days, and I’m, I’m tired, I’m tired, because I’m mentally working really, really hard, do typically tend to move around a lot as well, because I need to keep my energy kind of moving. But I kind of come out of it. And I’ve got so much of a reward reward. Because I’ve I know that the, the individual or the organization that I’m working with, have moved forward from where they were. Sometimes it’s very, very subtle, and it’s kind of like dropping, dropping a stone into a river. And then you know, kind of the ripples will then start happening. And then a couple of days, a couple of weeks, a couple of months later, it’s like, Hey, do you remember that conversation that we had? And you know, something big then changes? Or is the case that actually we can make real fundamental shifts in a very short period of time. And, you know, we come out of the session, and people go, Oh, my God, I can’t believe how much we’ve covered today. It’s like, Well, look, I just held the space, I just did what I do. And that’s why for me, it’s great to be part a part of the community because we’re you and I are doing the same thing, but slightly differently. And actually, I love the nuances of learning from other people, we’re going to go and I remember my early years as being a Vistage chair, sitting in a room and doing some training because, you know, personal development and ongoing training is a big part for me. And there was this guy who I just really didn’t connect with just wasn’t, you know, you and I connect really well because there’s a huge level of similarities. This guy was completely the opposite. And I was resisting and resisting. And somebody just kind of like turned to me and goes, Do you not realize that and that you’re going to learn the most amount from the people that are not like you. And that’s just that’s just really stuck with me. In fact, my one of my best friends within, within vestige guy called Chris overawed. We’re so different. But we chaired a group together and the learning that I got through that was fun for me, just for me was absolutely phenomenal. Because I go, I would never ever not even have done that. I would never even thought about just doing what you’ve just done. Wow, okay, helped me understand Let’s die digest helped me understand why you’ve done that. Well, this is what I was thinking. Just completely From. So yeah.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 20:02
And I think that’s what we get from our EOS community. Right? I said, I certainly do. There’s so many different personalities in there. And I can think of some of my, my favorites who are actually completely the opposite of me. And you do you just kind of sit there go, wow, I had never even considered that. That is brilliant. Yep. I like to think that my husband and I have a similar kind of relationship to where we have very, very different strengths and weaknesses. And we’re like a jigsaw puzzle, like the VA jigsaw puzzle that you get.
Adam Harris 20:25
And that’s the thing is it just kind of reflects on helping us understand. I, I also picked up through some of the work I did years ago that actually, it’s really important to observe and respect other people’s differences. And, you know, when we go into judgment mode, we’re judging actually, against our own position. And actually, that who’s to say that we’re right, you know, because you can learn things from, you know, your experiences, the nuances of how you’ve been brought up your education, you’ve got your reasons as to why you think the way that you do. So why should I expect that you should move to where I am? I need to take a step back and going okay, cool. Debra just responded that way, I might not have responded that way. But how and why has she done it that way? That That, for me is where if the inquisitive nature of being a looking at the difference, instead of trying to have a judgment and have a comparison, we can really get into some really interesting debates and conversations and understanding.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 21:32
So this fascinates me, because I think this is something I’ve had to learn to do. Over time, when I was young, I was very, you know, very much, I judge people immediately like almost to the point of having a perception of somebody, just from their initial view. And what I saw of them, I’ve learned very, not very much now that it is all about, you know, taking that sort of backseat and actually looking and thinking about putting yourself in their shoes and and thinking about with that judgment comes from holding a mirror up to yourself, etc, etc. Do you think it’s something that was has always come naturally to you? Or is it something you’ve had to hone in on as well?
Adam Harris 22:05
A little bit of both, I think I was always a very inquisitive child. If you’ve heard me, you’ve heard me say that. Even before I could walk. The first things that were coming out of my mouth was why why why? Why? Why? Why. So I think there’s always been, there’s a natural innate thing within me of just being inquisitive. I think as the years have gone on, there’s just become more of an appreciation and an understanding of people. And, you know, I think when you do the work that we do, and you have to, you know, you’re kind of holding that space and being objective. I still, I feel blessed. But also, I feel that sometimes there’s a little bit of a curse that sits behind it, because, you know, I kind of liken it to kind of, you know, the, the peripheral vision has just kind of been widened. So I don’t necessarily conform or fit in with how other people think and feel. So that’s that often puts me as, as you know, and I struggled definitely struggled in school, and definitely into kind of my, my teens, and then into my 20s, or kind of going, I thought I was the one that was like different, like massively, and actually there became this massive understanding of realization is actually the way that I think is different. But actually, there’s nothing wrong with that. And I can celebrate the fact that my diverse thinking, and the way that my brain works is just, it’s just different. And, and, you know, to get to the stage of being doing the work that allows me to just be authentically me, you know, doing my us life. That’s great, because I know that so many people don’t get to that stage is that they’re just, they just do in a job. And that’s perfectly fine. But I always knew that I needed to do something that that was going to spark me. And, you know, the journey that it’s taken me to get get to this point has been long, has been very, very hard. But actually, I thrive in in the challenge and the growth.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 24:18
Fantastic. Hey, look, I know that you’re currently building your iOS practice, because you’ve only just recently kind of graduated from iOS school or if they call bootcamp, isn’t it? Yeah. So tell me what it Who is your ideal client? Because I know that we always talk about the generic, you know, it’s privately owned, tended to under 50 people, but what’s your real sweet spot? What do you love about the clients that you work with? And who would what would you like more of?
Adam Harris 24:39
So from a practical perspective, two or three sessions online, so I’m really I’m really, really good with organizations that have purposely gone to a distributed model, or ones that are now choosing to be So I was kind of actively doing online coaching work for the last kind of 10 years. So it’s a space that I’m very, very comfortable with. I do, however, prefer to work with organizations that have at least one meeting, probably preferably the annual in person. If that means that I have to travel, that’s great, because that’s part of my EOS life. So that’s a bit to me. But because because rapport and relationship are really, really, really, really key for me, I also love working with quite dynamic organ organizations where there’s a lot of change that’s happening quite fast, quite quickly. So whether that be the visionary is kind of on a completely, you know, on the spectrum. You know, I’ve been working with, I’ve been working with Chief execs and MDs for 15 years. So there’s, there’s very rarely somebody that I come across who I’ve not coached and supported previously. So I’m really comfortable. In that, in that space, I love for me, I love the dynamic between the visionary and the integrator. And actually, whilst I do have background in technology, and in kind of marketing, also TV and film industry, the it’s more about the people actually, you know, I I love working with people that that want to become aligned if they’re not already. And actually the kind of want to, you know, they all want to move forward in the right direction. And also that they’re two things, one, they’re up for, they’re up for the challenge. And they’re, they’re up for the hard work. But also, they want to have a bit of fun along the way. You know, having fun is really, really important, important for me. And also, there’s got to be some last thing, because this is really important to me, there’s got to be some good nosh. So I, I’m a big, I’m a big foodie. So I really, it’s really got to make sure that we were there’s good food that’s available for me.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 27:10
It was I love it. I mean, when I remember I talked to you I was was there’s lots of similarities, but there’s also a few differences as well. And I think that that it’s great to kind of hear what makes your heart sing, hey, we always ask for three top tips or pointers at the end of the podcast to share with the listeners something they can go away, could be a book could be an online tool could be just a piece of advice that you’ve learned through your experiences, what would you like to share with the listeners today?
Adam Harris 27:34
Okay, coming in at number three. I think the thing for me is, is a mentor, having having a mentor. So, you know, I think if you’re working with an implementer, or if you’re listening to this, and whether you’re doing EOS, or you’re considering doing us, your your implementer is going to hold your feet to the fire take you on the journey of helping you implement the tools in the process, you may or may not decide to have a coach at the same point as well. I think coaching has been massively important for me through my life, but also obviously with the work that I’ve done. But actually, I think it’s really important to have one or two mentors from your vertical sector, who you can build a rapport and a relationship with and ensure that you’re probably meeting them once a quarter just to be able to kind of go, Hey, look, this is where we’re at. Just give me the the your take on things. You know, when you did this before? What did you do? So I think it becomes quite a good. I suppose it’s a variation of the clarity break, you know, one of the tools that we use, but actually it’s about getting a different perspective, I often find that leaders within organizations are they so tunnel vision, because they’re dealing with everything they’ve got finding a way of getting, you know, turning the kaleidoscope and having the ability to be able to see a different viewpoint is really key. My recommendation would be is that the visionary and the integrator, find their own independent mentors. But that’s not to say the rest of the leadership team can’t, can’t as well.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 29:19
And you’re talking about being in the same vertical sectors, you know that somebody’s been there done that or is is doing that, that has some understanding. A mentor really isn’t like a coach.
Adam Harris 29:27
Yeah, yeah. And that that’s exactly the way that I would describe the difference between a coach and a mentor is a mentor has been there seen it got the t-shirt, they kind of kind of almost inadvertently put the arm around the shoulder and go, Hey, Debra back in my day, this is what we do now. Like you don’t have to take the information, but actually just getting a different perspective. You’ll walk away from that conversation with a different viewpoint which will actually start getting you getting you thinking so
Debra Chantry-Taylor 29:55
What about peer groups? This is me just interrupting but you know, because mentors is one thing but peer groups can also be a way of getting that vertical sector stuff happening. So or even just people who are in the same position as you in different sectors.
Adam Harris 30:08
Absolutely. So, you know, I’ve been running mastermind groups for 15 years, I think they are absolutely game changers, I think I can’t remember the quote, and I hope that you might be able to, they say that, you know, if you’re, if you’re an entrepreneur, and you’re running a business, pick your operating system, and have a coach stroke mastermind group. And the reason for that is, is that yet, having an operating system will help you run the business. But having a coach strike a mastermind group will allow you to be to challenge your assumptions, to push your boundaries and your own expectations, and give you give you first and foremost a level of sanity to know, hey, I’m not the only one that’s going through this, these issues, challenges and opportunities, to have a sounding board where you can leave your ego at the door, which is really important. And then the last thing is, is that actually you’re coming out of it revitalized and re energized. Because whether you whether it’s you this process something or you’ve heard something else is that you you’re stimulating the ideas, sometimes it’s the case that you’re you’re laying the seeds that are actually going to grow to three years down the line. And it probably typify this for me during kind of, in the in the first couple of weeks when COVID happened. Because those people that are used to being an environment where they’re talking around change, challenging growth, their ability to be able to adapt, and our I will use the word pivots. So we’re able to do it quite fast and quite quick and not put the emotional attachment to it. Other organizations were like, like deer in headlights, because it’s like, Oh, my God, what’s happening? Now I don’t know what to do. So when you’re in that, when you’re when you’re aware, and you’re, you’re used to the process of going, here’s the information, how do we deal with it? How do we process it? How do we ideas it? Or how do we issue processor to get to the stage go? Right? What’s the real issue here, that then gives us the ability to be able to process and get to the stage of being able to make a decision, and also knowing, hey, look, best level thinking, you know, at this moment in time, based upon the information, we’ve processed it, and this is the this is what we’re going to do, you know, within hours, you know, alert changes and everything like that. Okay, guys, look, come back in need to have another conversation. Now we’ve got a new piece of information, how do we deal with it accordingly. So to not be able to panic, so I would always recommend and if there’s anybody listening to this, who is thinking about wanting to join a mastermind group and wants to know more information, I am happy to share my thoughts and opinions of what to look for when looking for either a coach and or a mastermind group.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 33:00
That’s fabulous. Cool. Yeah, as my podcast, I’m allowed to now do an unashamedly sort of, you know, plug for our own services, because you and I are about to run out our mastermind group together online, which is all for EOS implementers, self-implementers, who want a little bit of extra help in that. So if you’d like to find out more about that you can contact either Adam and myself. But yeah, we sort of see the power of we would love you to work with us as implementers one on one. But at the same time, we realize if you want to self-implement, you might not need that little bit of extra help. And so we’re about to set up that online mastermind group. Anyway, that was my little shed shameless plug. Number two, that was number three. What’s number two,
Adam Harris 33:40
Just before I get on, there’s a couple of books by a good friend of mine in the US called Leo buttery. And he wrote a couple of books. One was called The Power of peers, the importance around mastermind groups and then the second one was called peer innovation. How what happens within a peer group we can take and understand how we can be creative and innovative within our organizations. So again, just a little tip number one, number two, I think the there’s a large aspect for me around journaling and reflecting. So when I was up last with you, Debra, I picked up the EOS life journal and planner, which I’m really looking forward to starting on Wednesday after my quarterly meeting with my team. I actually wrote a book six years ago called the check in strategy journal. I’ve used other journals along the time and for me what I what I find that what I love about them is it’s the ability to be able to hit the pause button to take a step back and just go okay, so based on what I was, was good to do. Have I done it? Have I achieved it? what’s working, what’s not working? Okay, cool. Now as I plan moving forward, how what do I need to do so You know, it from an EOS terms perspective, we’re doing this on a quarterly basis with the meeting pulse, which is one of the reasons why you know, EOS works. And those people that are listening to it know, because you’ve got the 90 day world, and you’re then moving into the level 10 world, I think they’re for me taking a step further, is this something that about the personal ownership and accountability of being able to, to check in with yourself and kind of go, Okay, what do I need to do? How am I doing it? What works? What doesn’t work? For me? The current journal that I’ve been using the question prompts, get me to do things that are important that I probably wouldn’t do if I wasn’t getting the prompt. So who’s the one person I need to, to thank? Or show a sign of appreciation? Okay. Now, I’m not an Ungratified. You know, somebody doesn’t give gratitude. But actually, what it does do is it allows me to just stop and pause and go, actually, who in my life at this moment in time, do I need to influence? You know, do I need to say thank you, thank you, too. Because actually, those small acts are really, really important for them, but actually, also, for me, so I think the more we can stay on the path of with the trajectory that we want to go, I think that really, really works.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 36:24
Perfect. Yep. Great. Cool. So one, drum roll,
Adam Harris 36:31
coming in at number one, never stopped growing. So you know, I think, again, if we look at it from an iOS perspective, when you’re working with an implementer, the tools, the processes, the model allows for that consistent level of evergreen learning. You learning, but you’re then looking to kind of get to the mastery stage, I think from a, from any of them kind of again, again, moves on to the personal side side, which is, what am I doing individually, where I’m growing? So what am I doing that is getting me out of my comfort zone, out of my own levels of assumptions out of my own levels of judgment, to challenge my thought processes, my physical energy, my mental capacity. So, you know, the aspects of being comfortable with being uncomfortable. So I get, you know, putting yourself in situations going, okay. Because actually, that that, for me is where the magic happens. The magic happens when we’re on the edge of our comfort zone. You know, we all know, when we look at a situation that we haven’t been in before, we’re looking at it from a level of trepidation, because we don’t know what the outcomes gonna be. Right? Once we’ve done it, whatever it is, it’s never as bad as we think it’s that it was gonna be right, yeah. So if we’re able to put ourselves in that situation, on a consistent basis, then actually, what we’re doing is, is that we’re pushing our own boundaries. We’re challenging, like I say, our mental or physical or spiritual or emotional perspectives and assumptions. And that’s actually that’s that that is where the growth comes from. So, you know, people listening to this, what was one thing that you’ve always thought about doing that for whatever reason, you’ve not done? maybe now’s the time, maybe now’s the time to book that jumping out of a plane. maybe now’s the time to, you know, learn to play an instrument or a language. It doesn’t matter what it is. But actually, what you end up doing is by working on something new, you’re creating new neurons within your mind. Okay, which does one of two things first and foremost, actually gives you longevity, because your brain is having to work, right? The second thing is, is actually dependent on the research they look at. Actually, it creates new habits. They reckon that 66 days sexy, 66 days. If you do something consistently over that period of time, then it now becomes a regular habit. So, you know, what are the aspects that you feel that you need and want to change within your life? Just definitely worthwhile color looking at
Debra Chantry-Taylor 39:31
Perfect. Hey, look at you. And I could definitely talk for hours because we just love sharing, I mean, like I’ve finally met somebody who’s just as passionate about helping other people as I am as all of the EOS implementers are in our in our community. So, really appreciate your time. What if somebody wants to get hold of because you’ve already offered to help share about mastermind groups, I know that you are you’re you’re willing to help anybody on the EOS journey, whether they’re self implemented or they’re doing it on their own, whether they’re self employed or working with an implementer that you know, you happy to help you how do people get in contact with you.
Adam Harris 40:00
So just to carry out the sits behind that is that what Clifton Strengths Finder, which is one of the kind of, I don’t know, the tests that you could take to understand who you are and what you’re about. Within US, we use Colby. I’m a big fan of all of them. Because I think what it does is it helps us understand a little bit more about who we are, but also about be who the people are that we’re working with in our teams. So if that sparks a thought, or a conversation that can only be a benefit. Within Clifton Strengths Finder, they talk about strengths. One of my things, my second strength is about connecting. I just had and you and I are very, very similar on this. Debra, I hear somebody say something, and I’m able to connect people together or ideas together, even before they’ve even thought about it. So I spend, you know, probably on a daily basis, I’m just dropping people in email. Hey, Debra, can I introduce you such such, I think that you two really need to have a conversation on x. So I’m, I just, I take great joy in doing that. So yeah, if people feel that they want to get in touch with me, they can contact you through me or Frank and fearless.com. Or check me out on LinkedIn, one of the things I always say is, recommendations from other people is something that’s really important to me. But I always I always say if you want to know more about who I am, how I work, what my style is, etc. Just read or watch what other people say about me, because actually, you’re gonna get more from them than you are from from me. I just find that other people can communicate better than I can. I think so. Yeah.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 41:48
That’s cool. So they can find you on LinkedIn. They can find all those beautiful testimonies and things for people who have worked with you. And yeah, that you’re more than happy to help and connect at wherever you can.
Adam Harris 41:57
Absolutely.
Debra Chantry-Taylor 41:58
Appreciate your openness. appreciate your willingness to help. I always love talking to you. I can’t wait to see you again in our next kind of workshop. And yeah, thanks for your time.
Adam Harris 42:06
Thank you
=======================================================================================================================================================
Debra Chantry-Taylor
Professional EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner
#betterbusinessbetterlife #entrepreneur #leadership #eosimplementer #professionaleosimplementer #entrepreneurialbusinesscoach
Professional EOS Implementer New Zealand
Professional EOS Implementer Australia
Professional EOS Implementer UK
Professional EOS Implementer NZ
