EOS in the Wild: What It Actually Looks Like When It’s Working

It’s one thing to say you’re doing EOS.
It’s another thing entirely to feel the impact in your day-to-day leadership.

Let’s be honest—most group practice owners implement EOS like it’s a checklist. Accountability chart? ✅ Scorecard? ✅ Rocks? ✅ Cool, done.

But if your inbox is still overflowing, your team is asking the same questions on repeat, and you feel like the only person holding the place together… EOS isn’t working.

At least, not the way it’s supposed to.

What “Working” Actually Feels Like

When EOS is truly integrated, it’s not just about better systems—it’s about relief.

You’ll know it’s working when:

• You stop answering the same damn questions every week because clarity is baked into your processes.

• You follow up less. And not because you stopped caring—because people are actually doing what they said they’d do.

• Tension shows up early. Issues don’t simmer beneath the surface until they explode—they land on the Issues List and get handled.

• You can leave. For real. For a whole-ass week. And the place won’t burn down while you’re gone.

EOS isn’t just logistics. It’s emotional safety. Predictability. Trust.

What Doesn’t Count (Even If It Looks Good on Paper)

Not all EOS is created equal. Here’s what doesn’t mean it’s working:

• A polished L10 agenda that nobody follows

• Rocks that aren’t connected to your actual long-term vision

• Scorecards filled out but never discussed

• “Busy” team members without measurable progress

You’re not implementing EOS if you’re just filling in templates. You’re not integrating it if there’s no shift in how your team operates.

Real Signs You’re Actually Running on EOS

If you’re wondering how this looks in practice, here’s what I’ve seen:

• Team members raise process problems without being asked

• Meetings end early because actual problems got solved

• Clinicians request metrics conversations (yep, it’s possible)

• Ownership flows through the accountability chart—not who’s “least busy”

These aren’t flukes. They’re outcomes of consistency, clarity, and commitment.

Ready to Feel the Shift?

If this feels like the kind of practice you want—one where the systems work for you instead of against you—then now’s the time to build it.

The 6-month EOS Mastermind is open right now.
→ www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind

Not sure if it’s a fit? Shoot me an email at hello@taravossenkemper.com and we’ll talk through it—no pressure, just clarity.

About the Author

Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a gently-candid consultant who’s been in the trenches of group practice ownership since 2017. With a hearty blend of depth, irreverence, and a solid dash of humor (or so she hopes), Tara helps practice owners navigate the can-be-messy process of hiring, culture-building, vision generating, people-y issues, and all the other things that keep you up at night. When she’s not consulting, she’s probably wrangling her animals or homeschooling her kids—because why not add more chaos to the mix?

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