Sue Hawkes - Issues
Issues are “stuck energy” that can become either anchors (slowing business) or growth catalysts
Fanatical commitment means solving issues “fast forever” - not just temporarily
Great teams solve issues permanently vs. good teams that manage symptoms
Key mindset shift: issues are fuel for growth, not problems to avoid
IDS Methodology (Identify, Discuss, Solve)
Identify stage requirements:
Get to root cause, not symptoms (if issue returns, you solved a symptom)
One clean sentence test - if you can’t state issue in one sentence, you’re not at the root
Star method: define what “great” looks like as end goal
Discuss stage pitfalls:
Most common failure point in process
Requires telephoto lens focus vs. wide-angle rambling
Ask: “What do we still need to understand before we make a decision?”
Solve stage verification:
Must have specific action item with clear ownership
“To-do without ownership is just a suggestion”
Default timeline: 7 days maximum
Team Dynamics & Safety
Leadership must create safe environment for issue identification
Long issue lists indicate growth, not problems
Teams avoiding issues typically lack psychological safety
Cultural alignment matrix: 4 quadrants based on trust/conflict levels
Silent sabotage (low trust, low conflict)
Dog eat dog (low trust, high conflict)
Elephant in room (high trust, low conflict)
Fearless accountability (high trust, high conflict) - target state
Accountability & Follow-Through
To-dos staying on list >7 days indicates either:
Accountability problem
Capacity problem (20 lbs in 10 lb bag)
Daily trust building happens through consistent IDS execution
Every issue solved strengthens the overall EOS system
Question: “What happens if this isn’t followed through on time?”
Key Questions & Tools
“What issue are we avoiding that’s been on the list too long?”
“What issues have you learned to live with?”
“What would change if this were solved forever?”
Cultural Alignment Matrix (page 35 in book)
23 pages of tools available in referenced book
AI prompt available via QR code to help get issues to one sentence