EOS for a Better Business, Better Life

EOS Implementers Debra Chantry-Taylor, Adam Harris, business owners and experts!

EOS, The Entrepreneurial Operating System, can truly change your life by helping you live a better life by creating a better business. Are you doing what you love, with people you love, making a huge difference, being compensated appropriately, with time to pursue other passions? As a Certified EOS Implementer, my passion is helping Entrepreneurs & their leadership teams lead a better life through Traction. Join me on the podcast as I chat to those who have done this or experts who can help you... Learn from those who have built a life they truly love, through creating a better business.

  1. Marisa Smith: The Psychology Behind Successful EOS Adoption

    2D AGO

    Marisa Smith: The Psychology Behind Successful EOS Adoption

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Marisa Smith, EOS Implementer and co-author of the new book Rollout, to explore The Psychology Behind Successful EOS Adoption.  While many leadership teams implement EOS tools, far fewer successfully embed them across the entire organisation. Marisa shares her journey from software entrepreneur to EOS Worldwide marketing director and now implementer, revealing why self-implementation often stalls and why context, patience, and repetition are essential for lasting traction.  Together, Debra and Marisa unpack the four-phase rollout roadmap: prepare, launch, integrate, and sustain. They discuss why the accountability chart and Vision-Traction Organizer are foundational, how leaders must master the tools before teaching them, and why change management is more psychological than procedural. The conversation also dives into the neuroscience of change, the importance of repetition, and the leadership discipline required to reach 100% strong.  If you have ever wondered why EOS works brilliantly in some organisations and fizzles in others, this episode explains the human side behind successful adoption.        CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner  ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au  ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________        ► Marisa Smith – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisabsmith/   ► Website: https://www.marisa-smith.com/        Episode 259 Chapters:      00:00 – Introduction   02:02 – Marisa’s Entrepreneurial Journey    04:59 – Transition to EOS and Becoming an Implementer    07:19 – Challenges and Benefits of Rolling Out EOS    10:58 – The Importance of Context and Preparation    12:26 – Practical Tools and Tips for Rollout    12:43 – The Role of an Implementer    16:20 – The Psychology of EOS    25:17 – The Journey to 100% Strong    32:22 – Final Thoughts and Resources

    39 min
  2. Debra Chantry-Taylor: Why Priorities Fail in Real Businesses & What Strong Teams Do Differently 

    FEB 9

    Debra Chantry-Taylor: Why Priorities Fail in Real Businesses & What Strong Teams Do Differently 

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor breaks down why so many leadership teams keep setting priorities that never quite land.  Drawing on hundreds of leadership sessions, Debra explains that priorities usually fail not because teams are lazy or uncommitted, but because the system is working against them. Too many priorities, vague outcomes, “forever” initiatives, and reliance on external factors quietly erode confidence, trust, and momentum.  Debra unpacks what strong teams do differently. They limit priorities to three to seven clear, finishable goals per quarter. They write SMART priorities, protect focus time, assume interruptions will happen, and use weekly check-ins to realign rather than panic. She also tackles common leadership traps like founders changing direction mid-quarter, teams chasing perfection instead of progress, and the hidden cost of never finishing anything.  This episode is a practical reset for leadership teams who want fewer priorities, cleaner execution, and the confidence that comes from actually finishing what they start.          CONNECT WITH DEBRA:          ___________________________________________          ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner  ►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠  ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/  ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/            Episode 258 Chapters:      00:00 – Introduction  00:35 – Why Priorities Fail in Businesses    01:36 – Patterns of Priority Failure    02:39 – Clarity and Prioritisation    03:47 – Strategies for Effective Prioritisation    04:54 – Handling Forever Priorities and External Dependencies    07:32 – Managing Interruptions and Trade-offs    09:31 – Audience Questions and Answers    15:25 – Weekly Meetings and Balancing Flexibility with Accountability

    21 min
  3. David Hori: The Right Time to Start Exit Planning Is Now

    FEB 2

    David Hori: The Right Time to Start Exit Planning Is Now

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by David Hori, a business acquisition specialist who has led and supported multiple successful exits, including a sale to Toyota. David unpacks why exit planning is not a future event but a leadership discipline that needs to start early. He explains how strong teams, clear processes, and transparency create real business value and allow a business to operate without its founder at the centre. Drawing on his experience across VC-funded startups, acquisitions, and exits, David shares practical insights into building businesses that are genuinely exit-ready. The conversation explores the role of EOS in reducing owner dependency, the importance of involving the leadership team in exit conversations, and why understanding valuation drivers early gives owners more choice and control. David also shares details of his upcoming webinar series designed to help business owners navigate exit planning with clarity and confidence. This episode is essential listening for founders who want optionality, continuity, and a business that can thrive beyond them. CONNECT WITH DEBRA:          ___________________________________________          ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/  ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/  ___________________________________________  GUEST'S DETAILS:  ► David Hori – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdavidhori/ ►Topline Operators – Website: https://www.toplineops.com/ Episode 257 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction  00:47 – Introduction and Overview of Business Outcomes   01:23 – David Hori’s Background and Expertise   02:39 – David’s Journey from Law Firm to VC-Funded Startups   05:28 – The Importance of Processes and Systems in Scaling   07:15 – Scaling and the Theory of Constraints   08:09 – Factors Influencing VC-Funded Business Success   10:16 – The Role of Transparency and Team in Exit Planning   14:11 – David’s Experience with the Toyota Exit   16:21 – Key Considerations for Business Owners Planning an Exit   26:16 – David’s Tips for Business Owners Considering an Exit   33:54 – David’s Upcoming Webinar on Exit Planning

    43 min
  4. Ryan Hogan: Turning Hard Failures into Business Success with EOS

    JAN 28

    Ryan Hogan: Turning Hard Failures into Business Success with EOS

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Ryan Hogan, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Talent Harbour, shares his incredible journey from bankruptcy to scaling a business to $55 million using EOS and other tools. Ryan discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, including the crucial role of communication, accountability, and structure in scaling a business. Ryan’s entrepreneurial journey spans various ventures, from a murder mystery company to Hunt a Killer, where he pivoted to subscription boxes and landed major retailers like Target and Walmart. He attributes much of his success to implementing EOS, joining peer groups like Vistage and EO, and surrounding himself with brilliant problem-solvers. He offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs, including the importance of having an operating system, seeking business coaching, and investing in peer support. Ryan’s journey serves as an inspiring example of resilience, learning from failure, and the strategic approach needed to grow a business. CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ RYAN'S DETAILS: ►Ryan Hogan – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanehogan/ ►Talent Harbor – Website: https://talentharbor.com/ Episode 256 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:42 – Entrepreneurship and Communication Challenges 02:39 – Ryan Hogan’s Entrepreneurial Journey 04:10 – Transition to Hunt a Killer 45:25 – The Role of EOS in Business Success 45:38 – Talent Harbour and Future Plans

    46 min
  5. Debra Chantry-Taylor: The January Reality Check – Why Momentum Dies & How to Rebuild It Fast 

    JAN 19

    Debra Chantry-Taylor: The January Reality Check – Why Momentum Dies & How to Rebuild It Fast 

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor unpacks why January so often feels harder than it should for entrepreneurs and leadership teams, and why losing momentum early in the year is far more common than most people admit.  Debra challenges the idea that momentum is about speed, explaining instead that it is built through direction and consistency. She explores the five key reasons January momentum collapses, including unrealistic expectations, goals built on optimism rather than truth, avoiding last year’s unresolved issues, mismatched team energy, and the habit of trying to do everything yourself.  Drawing on real client stories and lived experience, Debra reframes January as a warm up month rather than a sprint. She encourages leaders to start with honest conversations, prioritise fewer meaningful actions, reset team rhythms, and address family business tensions that often surface over the holidays.  This episode is a grounded reminder that momentum is not created through hype or hustle. It comes from clarity, honesty, and giving yourself permission to rebuild at a sustainable pace. If January has already felt heavy or disappointing, this conversation will help you reset without guilt and move forward with confidence.        CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner  ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au   ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/           Episode 255 Chapters:      00:00 – Introduction  00:34 – January’s Emotional and Productivity Challenges    02:56 – Biological and Emotional Factors Affecting January Productivity    04:05 – Common Pitfalls and Real Examples of January Madness    08:59 – Rebuilding Momentum with Real Solutions    11:11 – Practical Tips for Maintaining Momentum

    15 min
  6. Justine Parsons: Finding Business Freedom Without Losing Yourself

    JAN 12

    Justine Parsons: Finding Business Freedom Without Losing Yourself

    In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Justine Parsons, founder of Your VA and The Lever, to explore the pivotal shift from managing a business to truly leading one. Justine shares her 27-year journey of building a virtual assistant business from the ground up, growing a team of more than 50 people, and eventually realising that success should not mean constant reactivity, exhaustion, or being needed for every decision. Together, Debra and Justine unpack the moment many founders face where the business works, but the role they are playing no longer does. The conversation dives into the emotional and practical challenges of stepping out of day to day management, trusting others to lead, and redefining what success looks like beyond revenue and growth. Justine reflects the importance of external support, mentorship, and frameworks like EOS in helping her create clarity, build a strong leadership team, and put the right people in the right seats. This episode is a powerful reminder that businesses are meant to serve their owners, not consume them. If you are feeling stuck in the weeds, questioning your role, or sensing it is time to move from managing to leading, this conversation will help you see what is possible on the other side. CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ JUSTINE'S DETAILS: ►Justine Parsons – LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/justineparsons ►The Lever – Website: https://thelever.co.nz/ Episode 254 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:35 – Transitioning from Manager to Leader 03:24 – Challenges and Solutions with EOS 05:32 – Personal Success and Business Balance 08:43 – The Role of Leadership and Management 18:45 – Building a Strong Leadership Team 47:38 – The Journey to Becoming a Leader 48:03 – The Impact of EOS on Business Growth 48:32 – The Role of External Support in Business Success 50:54 – The Importance of Trust and Accountability 51:08 – The Journey to Personal and Business Freedom

    51 min
  7. Debra Chantry-Taylor: Start the Year Off Right: No More Broken New Year’s Resolutions

    JAN 5

    Debra Chantry-Taylor: Start the Year Off Right: No More Broken New Year’s Resolutions

    In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor challenges the annual ritual of New Year’s resolutions and explains why most of them quietly collapse by February.  Debra unpacks the three big illusions that keep entrepreneurs stuck. The belief in a magical fresh start, the short-lived energy of January, and the assumption that wanting change is the same as committing to it. She shares a loving truth many leaders need to hear. You are not lazy or undisciplined, you are overloaded and unsupported by structure.  Rather than chasing motivation, Debra offers a simpler, more sustainable approach. Choosing just two non-negotiable anchors for the year, one personal and one business, and building a consistent weekly rhythm that makes progress unavoidable. She explores how creating friction for old habits, setting firm boundaries, and planning energy into the calendar are essential for real change.  The episode also highlights a crucial but often ignored factor in personal follow-through. Your team. Debra explains why individual willpower is not enough, and how tenacious, accountable teams make long-term change possible.  If you are tired of setting goals you do not keep and ready to build a year that actually sticks, this episode will help you replace resolutions with systems and start the year with clarity, compassion, and traction.        CONNECT WITH DEBRA:          ___________________________________________          ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner  ►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠  ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/  ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/             Episode 253 Chapters:      00:00 – Introduction  00:33 – New Year’s Resolutions and Structural Failures    01:54 – Three January Illusions    02:51 – Loving Truths and Overloading    04:49 – The Three-Week Slump    06:40 – Setting Goals and Building Systems    07:13 – Creating Friction and Setting Boundaries    09:04 – Treating Yourself with Compassion    10:19 – The Role of Tenacious Teams

    12 min
  8. Debra Chantry-Taylor: Use Your Holidays to Set Yourself Up for Success

    12/29/2025

    Debra Chantry-Taylor: Use Your Holidays to Set Yourself Up for Success

    In this holiday episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles a familiar but rarely confronted reality for entrepreneurs: most don’t truly rest over the Christmas break, they simply pause while staying mentally tethered to work.   Debra unpacks the subtle behaviours that sabotage real downtime, from “just checking emails” to quietly solving work problems in your head and explains why these habits prevent genuine recovery. She shares why true rest isn’t indulgent or irresponsible, but essential for clear thinking, strong leadership, and sustainable businesses.   Through her signature lens of fierce clarity and loving truth, Debra outlines five practical steps for a healthy Christmas break, choosing presence, resting without guilt, reflecting lightly, reconnecting with who you are beyond the business, and letting go of martyr behaviour. She also explores why family businesses often struggle at Christmas, and how blurred boundaries can quietly undermine both rest and relationships.   The episode closes with Debra sharing her own plans for switching off properly, offering a grounded reminder that a business strong enough to survive your absence is a sign of leadership done well.   So if you’re heading into the festive season exhausted, distracted, or secretly planning to “just check in,” this episode is your permission slip, and your plan, to truly rest.        CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner  ►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠  ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/          Episode 252 Chapters:      00:00 – Introduction  00:38 – Christmas Break Realities for Entrepreneurs    02:32 – The Truth About Entrepreneurs’ Christmas Breaks    04:23 – The Importance of Rest for Entrepreneurs    05:20 – Family Businesses and Christmas    08:50 – Preparing Your Business for a Proper Break    11:26 – Debra’s Personal Christmas Plans

    12 min

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About

EOS, The Entrepreneurial Operating System, can truly change your life by helping you live a better life by creating a better business. Are you doing what you love, with people you love, making a huge difference, being compensated appropriately, with time to pursue other passions? As a Certified EOS Implementer, my passion is helping Entrepreneurs & their leadership teams lead a better life through Traction. Join me on the podcast as I chat to those who have done this or experts who can help you... Learn from those who have built a life they truly love, through creating a better business.

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