Some Days You’re the Dog, Some Days You’re the Hydrant: Why Both Matter on the EOS Journey
By an EOS Integrator in the Trenches
Let’s be real: some days as an Integrator, I feel like the dog. I’m moving things forward, knocking out Issues, aligning the team, and driving toward the Vision. But other days? I’m definitely the hydrant.
On those days, it seems like everything is breaking down at once — a missed number, a process that’s gone off the rails, a people issue that feels personal. You show up, and instead of barking orders, you’re getting hit from every angle. Sound familiar?
Here’s what I’ve learned: both types of days are part of the job — and both are necessary.
Hydrant Days Are Feedback
EOS gives us the tools to spot and solve problems early, but the hard days are often where the real lessons live. When the wheels wobble, it reveals what still needs strengthening. Process gaps. Communication breakdowns. A Right Person/Right Seat mismatch. It’s not failure — it’s feedback. EOS gives us a framework to channel that feedback into action, not frustration.
You Don’t Have to Be the Hero Every Day
As Integrators, we’re often the glue, the drivers, the calm in the storm. But that doesn’t mean we always have to have the answers. There are days when just being engaged and open is more powerful than having all the answers. Trust the tools. Use the L10. Drop down into IDS. Let the system do its job. You don’t have to carry the whole load.
Celebrate the Dog Days, Learn from the Hydrant Ones
Success isn’t built on a string of perfect weeks. It’s built on showing up consistently — staying the course when it’s messy, and pulling the team together when the gears grind. And when the good days roll in? Celebrate. Recognize the wins. Give yourself credit for building the muscle that got you there.
Keep Perspective
The best part of EOS is that it’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. And progress happens when we keep showing up, whether we’re the dog or the hydrant that day. The great news? You’re not doing this alone. You’ve got the Visionary, the Accountability Chart, the L10s, the Rocks, and a playbook for handling it all.
Next time you’re feeling more hydrant than hero, take a deep breath. You’re still exactly where you need to be — in the driver’s seat of meaningful progress.