Definitions are written from an EA's perspective - not just what the term means, but why it matters for the work you do. Something missing or incorrect? Let Kim know.
A
Accountability Chart
A structural tool that defines every seat in the organization, what that seat is responsible for, and who sits in it. It replaces the traditional org chart by focusing on function and accountability rather than hierarchy.
EA relevance: Your implementer will reference this constantly when talking about client organizations. Understanding who owns what in a client company helps you route communications, schedule the right people, and anticipate what support is needed.
Annual Planning
A structured session held once a year where leadership teams review progress, set the vision for the next year, and establish annual Rocks. Typically runs one to two days offsite.
EA relevance: One of the biggest logistics events you'll coordinate - venue, travel, prep materials, and follow-up communications. Start planning well in advance.
C
Core Focus
A company's reason for being - made up of its Core Values and its Purpose/Cause/Passion. Defines what the organization is and why it exists.
EA relevance: Helps you understand the culture and priorities of the client companies your implementer works with. Useful context when preparing materials or communications.
Core Values
A small set of fundamental beliefs that define the culture and character of an organization. In EOS, companies are encouraged to identify three to seven core values that guide hiring, decisions, and behavior.
EA relevance: Clients will reference these frequently. Knowing a company's core values helps you understand the tone and priorities behind their communications.
E
EOS
Entrepreneurial Operating System
A complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that help entrepreneurial leadership teams get what they want from their businesses. Built around Six Key Components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction.
EA relevance: This is the framework everything else is built on. Understanding EOS at a high level helps you make sense of the tools, terminology, and rhythm your implementer works within every day.
EOS Implementer
A trained professional who guides leadership teams through the EOS process. Implementers work with multiple client companies simultaneously, running quarterly and annual sessions and coaching leadership teams between meetings.
EA relevance: This is who you support. Implementers typically have a high volume of clients, complex scheduling needs, and significant travel - making strong EA support essential to their practice.
EOS Worldwide
The organization that trains, certifies, and supports EOS Implementers globally. Provides tools, resources, and community for the implementer network.
EA relevance: The source of official EOS materials, training events, and certifications. Your implementer will attend EOS Worldwide events throughout the year that you'll likely be coordinating.
G
GWC
Gets it, Wants it, Capacity
A three-part filter used to evaluate whether someone is right for a particular seat in the organization. Gets it: innately understands the role. Wants it: genuinely desires the responsibilities. Capacity: has the time, energy, and skills to do it.
EA relevance: You'll hear this in conversations about hiring, performance, and organizational decisions. Understanding GWC helps you follow the context of those discussions.
I
Integrator
The person who runs the day-to-day operations of the business, harmonizes the leadership team, and holds everything together. Often the COO or President. Works in close partnership with the Visionary.
EA relevance: The Integrator is often the primary point of contact in client organizations. Understanding their role helps you know who to communicate with and what they're responsible for.
Issues List
A running list of problems, opportunities, and obstacles facing the business. In EOS, issues are surfaced, prioritized, and solved in a structured format during Level 10 Meetings using the IDS process.
EA relevance: Your implementer will reference client Issues Lists when preparing for sessions. You may be asked to compile, format, or distribute these documents.
IDS
Identify, Discuss, Solve
The three-step process used in EOS to work through issues. First identify the real issue, then discuss it fully, then solve it with a clear to-do or decision. Keeps meetings productive and focused.
EA relevance: Understanding IDS helps you follow meeting notes and action items that come out of client sessions your implementer facilitates.
L
Level 10 Meeting
L10
A structured weekly meeting format used by EOS leadership teams. Runs 90 minutes and follows a set agenda: segue, scorecard review, rock review, customer/employee headlines, to-do list review, IDS on issues, and conclude. Named for the goal of rating the meeting a 10 out of 10.
EA relevance: You'll likely be scheduling and tracking L10s across multiple client companies. Understanding the format helps you prepare agendas, send reminders, and follow up on to-dos that come out of them.
M
Meeting Pulse
The regular rhythm of meetings that keeps a leadership team aligned and moving. In EOS, the standard pulse includes a weekly Level 10 Meeting, a Quarterly Session, and an Annual Planning session.
EA relevance: The meeting pulse is the backbone of your scheduling work. Getting clients locked into this rhythm and keeping it running smoothly is one of the highest-value things you do.
P
People Analyzer
An EOS tool used to evaluate team members against the company's Core Values and GWC. Helps leadership teams make objective decisions about who belongs in which seat.
EA relevance: May come up in materials your implementer prepares for client sessions. Treat it as confidential - it involves assessments of individual employees.
Q
Quarterly Session
A one-day offsite meeting held every 90 days where the leadership team reviews progress, closes out the previous quarter's Rocks, and sets new Rocks for the next quarter. Facilitated by the EOS Implementer.
EA relevance: One of the most logistics-intensive events you'll manage. Involves venue coordination, travel, materials prep, and post-session follow-up for multiple clients throughout the year.
Quarterly Pulsing
The 90-day rhythm at the heart of EOS execution. The idea that most businesses can plan and execute effectively in 90-day sprints, making progress more measurable and teams more accountable.
EA relevance: Your implementer's calendar runs on this rhythm. Understanding it helps you anticipate busy periods and plan around quarterly session schedules across all clients.
R
Rocks
The three to seven most important priorities for the business or an individual to accomplish in the next 90 days. Named after the concept of putting the big rocks in the jar first. Each Rock has a clear owner and a done/not done status.
EA relevance: Rocks drive the agenda of Quarterly Sessions and are tracked in every L10. You'll see them referenced constantly in meeting prep and follow-up materials.
S
Same Page Meeting
A regular check-in between the Visionary and Integrator to ensure they are aligned on direction, priorities, and decisions. Typically held weekly or biweekly.
EA relevance: You may be scheduling these recurring meetings between a client's Visionary and Integrator. They are high-priority and should be protected on the calendar.
Scorecard
A weekly snapshot of five to fifteen high-level numbers that give leadership an at-a-glance view of business health. Each number has a weekly goal and is tracked as on or off track.
EA relevance: Scorecards are reviewed at the start of every L10. You may be asked to compile or format scorecard data for your implementer's clients.
T
Traction
The discipline and accountability component of EOS - getting things done consistently and moving the business forward. Also the title of the foundational EOS book by Gino Wickman.
EA relevance: When your implementer talks about a client "gaining traction," they mean the team is executing consistently and the system is working. The book is worth reading for context on everything EOS.
To-Do List
In EOS, a To-Do is a seven-day action item created during an L10 Meeting. Unlike Rocks, To-Dos are short-term tasks with a one-week deadline. They are reviewed at the start of the next L10.
EA relevance: To-Dos often come out of sessions your implementer facilitates. You may be responsible for tracking or following up on action items assigned to your implementer.
V
Vision/Traction Organizer
V/TO
A two-page document that captures the entire vision and plan for a business. Includes Core Values, Core Focus, 10-Year Target, Marketing Strategy, 3-Year Picture, 1-Year Plan, Rocks, and Issues. The single most important document in EOS.
EA relevance: Every client has one. You may be asked to format, update, or distribute V/TOs. Treat them as confidential strategic documents.
Visionary
Typically the founder or CEO - the big-picture thinker who drives the company's vision, culture, and key relationships. Often has many ideas and works best when paired with a strong Integrator to execute.
EA relevance: Visionaries tend to move fast, think big, and need strong organizational support around them. Understanding this role helps you anticipate the pace and style of client leadership.
3-Year Picture
A vivid description of what the business will look like three years from now - including revenue, profit, number of employees, and key measurables. Part of the V/TO and reviewed during Annual Planning.
EA relevance: Gives you context on where a client company is headed, which helps when preparing materials or communications that reference the company's direction.
10-Year Target
A single, clear, long-range goal for the business - a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) that inspires the team and provides long-term direction. Part of the V/TO.
EA relevance: Useful context for understanding a client's ambitions and the significance of the work your implementer is doing with them.
Missing a term?
EOS has a rich vocabulary and this glossary grows over time. If there's a term you keep hearing that isn't here, send it to Kim and we'll get it added.