BE A BEACON: GUIDING YOUR TEAM FORWARD

Dec 5, 2024

3 min read

Introduction

When launching a new business, one of the first—and most significant—decisions you make is choosing a name. In a previous post, I shared the story behind how I came up with Beacon & Blade. If you’ve read it, you’ll remember that our company name holds deep meaning, reminding me every day of our mission, our approach, and the strong foundation we’ve built.

Our name has three key components: The Beacon, The Blade, and the ampersand (&). Each of these elements carries its own significance. Today, I’d like to focus on the first part: The Beacon.

Why It's Essential: The Beacon as a Guiding Light

A beacon is more than just a source of light; it’s a symbol of direction, hope, and clarity. In business, as in life, a beacon illuminates the path toward achieving your goals. It helps us make decisions and shape the actions we take each day.

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to shine a light on the future, guiding our teams with a clear vision of where we are heading. That light cuts through uncertainty, aligning everyone with a shared purpose and direction.

Visionaries as Beacons

In the EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework, we refer to the highest leader in the company as the Visionary. This person has a unique set of skills that enables them to craft an inspiring and forward-thinking vision for the organization.

Visionaries embody the role of the beacon by shaping the big picture and inspiring their teams to reach for it. However, when their light isn’t properly focused or supported by a strong Integrator (another key role in EOS), it can become blinding or unfocused—leading the team off track and sometimes even into a ditch.

Integrators as Beacons

While Visionaries cast the broad light of inspiration, Integrators play a crucial role in translating that vision into reality. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business, ensuring alignment with company culture and values while maintaining accountability across the team.

You might not immediately think of an Integrator as a beacon, but they are just as vital. Integrators act as the guiding light in daily operations, ensuring that the team can follow a clear, actionable path. They also ensure that the principles of EOS remain a constant, guiding force within the organization.

EOS as a Beacon

The EOS system itself serves as a powerful beacon for teams. By providing a structured framework, EOS ensures that everyone stays aligned and moves forward together with a common language, set of tools, and vision.

Companies using EOS begin by building their own custom beacon through the Vision side of the V/TO™ (Vision/Traction Organizer). This tool defines key elements such as core values, company focus, and a 10-year target, setting a clear destination for the organization. Meanwhile, the Traction side of the V/TO outlines the roadmap to get there. In a future post, I’ll dive into the Blade and explore how the traction side keeps the beacon focused and achievable.

EOS also provides a structure for ensuring that the beacon remains strong and aligned through regular “pulse meetings”—a series of structured check-ins designed to maintain alignment and focus on a weekly, quarterly, and annual basis.

Beacon & Blade’s Role

At Beacon & Blade, we offer Interim Integrators who shine a light on what an effective Visionary/Integrator partnership can achieve. We help teams integrate the EOS tools that create a guiding beacon for success.

As a leader, embracing the tools in the EOS toolkit will empower you to be the beacon your company needs. By building a rock-solid Visionary/Integrator duo, you’ll establish a clear path forward and guide your organization toward achieving its greatest potential.

Being a beacon is about more than just shining a light; it’s about leading with clarity, purpose, and direction. At Beacon & Blade, we’re here to help guide your team toward a brighter, more successful future.

About the Author

Hailey Nogler, co-founder of Beacon & Blade, is an Integrator and entrepreneur with a knack for solving tough challenges—shining a light on the core issues and cutting through them with precision. Known for her intentional, measured, and decisive approach, Hailey guides leadership teams through complex dynamics with care and directness, empowering them to make confident and impactful decisions. She’s passionate about mentoring, building strong processes, and helping teams grow through hands-on guidance and training. Outside of work, Hailey dedicates herself to her family and enjoys pursuing her personal passions with the same intentionality she brings to her clients.

Contact Hailey at hailey@beaconandblade.com.

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