Newsletter 1:
Hustle Like Pete
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One of the greatest players in baseball history recently passed away (here’s a photo of us from a few years back). For those unfamiliar, Pete Rose—known by his nickname “Charlie Hustle”—holds the record for the most hits in MLB history.
So, how does Pete Rose's story relate to EOS and the coaching I do? Rose perfectly embodied the concept of taking a vision and executing on it relentlessly. His singular goal was clear: to become the greatest hitter of all time. But he didn’t just write that goal down, file it away, and hope for the best. He worked harder than anyone else on the field.
Rose was always the first player at batting practice and earned his “Charlie Hustle” nickname by constantly hustling—whether it was sprinting to first base to beat out a routine grounder or doing whatever it took to secure one more hit. Every day, Rose showed up with intention, putting in the work to make his vision a reality.
Why am I sharing this? Because it’s easy to say, "Set a vision, and success will follow." But success requires more than intention—it demands disciplined execution. Like Pete Rose, business leaders must ensure that they’re aligning their daily actions with their goals. A vision alone won’t get you across the finish line—it's the consistent effort, hustle, and execution that make it happen.
Just as Rose chased every hit with determination, business leaders must actively pursue their vision, every single day.
Newsletter 3:
Rock Solid: Staying on Track in Q2
As we enter the 2nd quarter of 2025, this is that time of the year when we see people fall off the goals and rocks (popularized by author Stephen Covey, represent your most important priorities, the things that will significantly impact your life and goals if accomplished) wagon.
Rocks are more than just quarterly to-do’s; they’re our top priorities, the foundational pieces that move the business forward. But like anything important, Rocks require consistency, visibility, and accountability to stay on track. So, whether you’re crushing your Rocks or feeling a little behind, here are some reminders and encouragements to help keep that EOS engine humming:
1. Keep Your Rocks Front and Center
Out of sight = out of mind. Make sure your Rocks are visible; whether on a dashboard, whiteboard, or digital tool. Review them regularly during your L10 meetings and make sure they’re still relevant and measurable.
2. Break Big Rocks Into Pebbles
Big Rocks can feel overwhelming if not broken down. Identify the smaller action steps needed to complete your Rock and assign ownership to keep things moving forward.
3. Use the Power of the L10 Meeting
Weekly Level 10 Meetings aren’t just a check-in, they’re your moment to refocus. Use the Issues List to solve what's blocking progress on Rocks, and stay accountable by reporting your Rock status (On Track / Off Track).
4. Don’t Wait to Realign
If a Rock no longer fits the direction you’re going, call it out! EOS is designed to be flexible, it’s okay to pivot if priorities shift, as long as the team is aligned and clear on the "why."
5. Celebrate Wins, Learn from Misses
Completed Rocks deserve a moment of recognition: it reinforces good habits and builds momentum. And if a Rock gets missed, take time to IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) what happened so the team can improve.
EOS is about building traction toward your vision; one quarter, one Rock, one meeting at a time. Stay committed to the process, lean on your team, and remember: progress is the goal, not perfection.
Newsletter 2:
Structure, Clarity, and a little bit of Magic…
I was recently watching MaryPoppins with my kids, and saw the movie in a whole new light. At first glance, you might not think a business operating system and a whimsical British nanny have much in common When you take a closer look, the similarities between EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and Mary Poppins are pretty remarkable.
Both bring structure, clarity, and a little bit of magic to places in need of transformation.
The characters' entrances provide structure. Just like Mary Poppins arrives on the east wind when things are in disarray, EOS often steps into businesses when they’re feeling scattered, overwhelmed, and uncertain about how to move forward. And much like the Banks household, businesses struggling with vision, accountability, and growth need someone (or something) to set them straight.
Mary Poppins has her famous carpetbag which in EOS is called the toolkit — out of which she pulls exactly what’s needed (the clarity), whether it’s a lamp or a tape measure for some hard truths. EOS has its own set of practical tools: the Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO), the Accountability Chart,
Level 10 Meetings, Rocks, and Scorecards. These aren’t just fancy props; they’re strategic resources designed to bring order and clarity, helping teams prioritize, measure, and align.
Transformation doesn’t come without a little tough love. Mary Poppins balances
kindness with firm expectations, guiding the Banks children toward responsibility and independence. Similarly, EOS challenges leadership teams to face reality, make difficult decisions, and stick to a plan even when the work gets hard. There’s no spoonful of sugar when it comes to hard conversations or tackling issues head on, but the results are always worth it.
But the real magic lies in what happens when the work is done. By the end of the movie, the Banks family is closer, more aligned, and ready to take flight on their own. And that’s exactly what EOS does for businesses. With a clear vision, strong traction, and a healthy, functional team, businesses gain the confidence and independence to thrive without constant outside intervention.
So while EOS may not come with a flying umbrella or a chorus of singing penguins, it does bring something just as powerful a proven system to help businesses soar. If you’re ready to add a little structure, clarity (and maybe a touch of magic) to your organization, let’s talk.
Newsletter 4:
Sew Far, Sew Good
Some of you may have caught wind of a new endeavor I’ve joined via LinkedIn. It’s called Fabric: a membership community for folks deep in the decorated apparel world. They brought me on to do something I love: facilitating. Think small, curated groups of shop owners meeting once a month with yours truly as the facilitator keeping the conversation grounded, honest, and actually useful. No humblebrags. No burnout spirals. Just the kind of candid, collaborative, goal-oriented chats that help you grow your shop and stay sane while doing it. We push each other in smart ways, set goals that feel right-sized, and carve out space for the kind of honesty that’s hard to come by when you’re running the show solo.
If this sounds like your kind of weird (in the best way), check it out and apply:
Would love to see you in the mix.
—Michael
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