We are mid-quarter and a major new AI tool has launched that could revolutionize our client onboarding, but our leadership team already has a full set of agreed-upon Rocks. Do we pivot our Rocks now to capitalize on this technology, or do we wait until the next quarterly session?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is a classic shiny object dilemma. In an AI-driven market, the temptation to pivot mid-quarter is incredibly high, but constantly shifting your focus will destroy your team's execution and morale.

The rule in EOS® is simple: once Rocks are set for the quarter, they are locked in. You must maintain ninety-day cycles of focus. This is what creates operational discipline.

To handle this technology without losing your footing, follow this framework:

- Place the new AI opportunity on your long-term Issues List on the V/TO®. Do not let it derail your current weekly Level 10 Meetings.

- Assess the true urgency of the tool. Ninety percent of tech opportunities can wait sixty days until your next Quarterly Pulsing™ session without you losing any competitive advantage.

- If the opportunity is truly a critical emergency that cannot wait, you must run it through IDS® with the entire leadership team.

- If you collectively decide to pivot, you must officially kill an existing Rock. You cannot simply add the new technology on top of your current workload.

By forcing the opportunity to wait for the quarterly session, you give your team time to research it properly. This prevents you from chasing hyped software that may not fit your long-term vision. Protect your ninety-day focus at all costs.