Better Business, Better Life – Issue 146

 

Have you ever watched a high-performing sports team in action?

Every player knows their position, their responsibilities, & how their role contributes to the team’s success.

Imagine if players swapped positions mid-game without clear direction—chaos, right?

The same applies to businesses.

One of the most common challenges I see with leadership teams is the lack of clarity around roles.

Without clear seats & well-defined responsibilities, businesses stall, accountability crumbles, & frustration sets in.

So, let’s talk about why defining the right seats is essential for growth—& how to get it right.

BUSINESS TOOLS & REAL-LIFE LESSONS

Why Defining the Right Seats is Crucial for Business Growth

The Pain of Undefined Seats

When seats aren’t clearly defined, the symptoms show up fast:

  1. Dropped balls: Important tasks get missed because everyone assumes someone else is responsible.
  2. Blame games: Without clarity, accountability becomes a finger-pointing exercise.
  3. People tension: Overlapping responsibilities causes friction, especially in family businesses where emotions run high.

Real-Life Example

Take the case of a family-run manufacturing business I worked with. The founders’ children were stepping into leadership roles, but their responsibilities were fuzzy.

They all wanted to be equal, which led to everyone doing a bit of everything & no one doing anything well. Decisions took longer, projects stalled, & relationships became strained.

The fix? Clarifying their Accountability Chart based on functions, not family hierarchy.

The results? Smoother operations, clearer decisions, & far less stress.

Shifting from Titles to Functions

The key to getting this right is focusing on functions rather than titles. (Stay tuned for our upcoming article on using the Accountability Chart to define scorecard measurables.)

In EOS, we use the Accountability Chart to define the 3-5 key responsibilities for each seat—regardless of who occupies it. It’s not about egos or tenure; it’s about what the business needs.

  1. Start with structure: Define what the business needs to run effectively.
  2. Assign the right people: Use the GWC test—do they Get it, Want it, & have the Capacity to do it?
  3. Communicate it clearly: Once seats are defined, ensure everyone understands who is responsible for what.

The Outcome: Growth, Accountability & Peace of Mind

With clear seats, teams move faster, make better decisions, & achieve more. It’s that simple.

People know what’s expected of them, which builds confidence & empowers them to step up. For the leadership team, it means fewer fires to fight & more time to focus on strategic growth.

So, if you find yourself dealing with dropped balls, people issues, or sluggish growth, take a look at your seats. Plus, stay tuned for our upcoming article on writing job adverts that attract the right people & scare away the wrong ones.

Are they defined? Are the right people in them?

If not, maybe it’s time to tackle your Accountability Chart.

The Tough but Necessary Step: Letting Go When It’s Not Right

(Stay tuned for our upcoming article on handling people issues & why letting go of the wrong people benefits the whole team.)

Sometimes, even with clear seats & well-defined roles, you may find that someone doesn’t align with your core values or simply doesn’t GWC the role.

Holding onto these individuals, hoping they’ll improve, often does more harm than good.

Letting someone go is never easy, especially in family businesses. But when someone isn’t the right fit & there’s no other suitable role, it’s essential to act decisively.

This not only respects the individual but also protects the team’s culture, morale, & overall performance.

💡 Need help getting your Accountability Chart sorted? Let’s chat! I’d love to help you get the right people in the right seats—so your business can grow without the chaos. 🚀

UPCOMING EVENT

I’m thrilled to extend a special invitation to you for the 2025 EOS® Conference Event, tailored for companies utilising the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS).

This is a prime opportunity to network with other EOS implementers, leadership teams, and entrepreneurs from a range of industries.

Experience Transformation at the 2025 EOS® Conference

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Event Details:

📆 Dates: 2-4 April 2025

📍 Location: National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C.

Take Your EOS Success to the Next Level:

  • Engaging Experience: Join a room filled with driven entrepreneurs running their businesses on EOS—from seasoned EOS implementers to leadership teams eager to fully integrate EOS tools & principles for greater success.
  • Networking & Collaboration: Engage with like-minded professionals, exchange real-world experiences, & build meaningful connections within the EOS community
  • Insights & Innovations: Gain fresh perspectives, practical strategies, & expert guidance to help you implement EOS for business growth & long-term success.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage with a community committed to boosting business effectiveness and personal success. Register now and be part of this transformative experience.

We look forward to welcoming you seeing you at National Harbor in April 2025!

LINKS TO USEFUL STUFF

This section gives you quick access to 3 links - to articles, blogs, podcasts & stuff that will help you to create a better business & lead a better life.

Better Business and Life Resources

Article

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Turn Your Organisation Chart into an Accountability Chart

Enhance clarity and accountability with an organised team structure.

Podcast

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Scaling, Selling, and Saving Businesses with EOS

Scale, sell, and optimise businesses using EOS tools and strategies.

Life Stuff

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9 Ways to Take Responsibility for Your Life

Take responsibility to transform your mindset and well-being.

We are here to help you live a better life by creating a better business. We are real-life business owners with years of experience & a strong desire to make a huge difference to the lives of entrepreneurs.

If anything here resonates with you or you would like our help, then please get in contact. Just reply to this newsletter & let us know who you would like to speak to…. Or visit our webpage & contact any of our team from their own pages.

If you know someone who would benefit from reading this, then please forward it onto them. 💖

NEED HELP?

​If you’d like to learn more about any of these tools or would like to find out how I can help you achieve a better life through creating a better business, then book a free Discovery Call with me.

We’ll talk about what you want to get from your business & your life & come up with a plan to do that!

Debra Chantry-Taylor

Certified EOS Implementer | Accredited Family Business Advisor | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Speaker & Workshop Facilitator