Tackling Tough People Problems with Rip Tilden, Executive Coach and Expert EOS Implementer

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS Implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s dive in! Joining Ryan on this episode is Rip Tilden, an Expert EOS Implementer. Rip and Ryan explore the challenges leaders face when tackling tough people problems within teams, such as handling misaligned team members or toxic behavior. They discuss the importance of clear communication, the three-strike feedback rule, and the courage to make tough calls when someone isn’t the right fit. Rip shares insights from his book Leading on Purpose, emphasizing that leadership skills are built, not innate, and that feedback must be candid and timely. Together, they provide actionable strategies for leaders to navigate difficult personnel issues while fostering a positive and growth-focused work culture.

Let’s dive in!

Joining Ryan on this episode is Rip Tilden, an Expert EOS Implementer. Rip and Ryan explore the challenges leaders face when tackling tough people problems within teams, such as handling misaligned team members or toxic behavior. They discuss the importance of clear communication, the three-strike feedback rule, and the courage to make tough calls when someone isn’t the right fit. Rip shares insights from his book Leading on Purpose, emphasizing that leadership skills are built, not innate, and that feedback must be candid and timely. Together, they provide actionable strategies for leaders to navigate difficult personnel issues while fostering a positive and growth-focused work culture.

“Let's talk about what you've observed. Make sure you've observed it. It's not a rumour or a third party comment from somebody. And then let's talk about the business impact, why it matters that you change that behaviour and then talk together about how you can change. I think that's how you do it in a way that doesn't round off the edges but doesn't make it a personal attack.” - Rip Tilden

Rip served as the COO of an international technology company and helped grow its market value five-fold. He also led a unit of a private wellness business and helped double that unit’s earnings while tripling its cash flow.

As an Expert EOS Implementer, Rip has taught more than 80 companies to implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System. He gets charged up helping them clarify their vision, gain traction to get great results, get the right people in the right seats, strengthen accountability, and build healthy leadership teams who can build and sustain growth in their companies.

Rip’s passion for learning and teaching extends to the boardroom and the classroom as well. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Andesa Services in Allentown, PA, and served for eight years as a Project Faculty Member at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Episode Resources

Rip Tilden on LinkedIn
Rip Tilden on the EOS Worldwide Website
Ryan Hogan on LinkedIn
Talent Harbor Website