Certified EOS Implementer Mark P. O’Donnell shares how a career spanning the Air Force, engineering, pharma quality, and entrepreneurship shaped his people-first approach to building scalable companies, culminating in his work helping leadership teams run on EOS. He explains EOS’s six key components—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction—and how practical tools like the Accountability Chart, leading indicators, IDS, quarterly Rocks, and quarterly conversations turn strategy into execution. Mark also discusses cultivating leaders, standardizing core processes for scale, and why continuous learning fuels long-term organizational health and results.
From the U.S. Air Force to scaling businesses, Mark O’Donnell’s career has been defined by leadership and growth.
After leading multi-million-dollar projects and managing global teams in the corporate world, Mark shifted his focus to helping entrepreneurial organizations thrive.
As a Certified EOS Implementer and leadership trainer, Mark has helped companies grow by at least 60%, including scaling one from $8M to $16M in just 2.5 years.
His approach centers on creating a clear vision, aligning teams, and fostering accountability to drive success.
Connect with Mark
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Episode Highlights
- Mark’s journey: Air Force service, hands-on manufacturing and engineering, pharma quality leadership, and scaling a 70-person firm before focusing on consulting and EOS.
- People-first leadership: early commitment to personal development, Dale Carnegie principles, and identifying “unique abilities” to delegate and elevate teams.
- Discovering Traction: adopting Gino Wickman’s tools personally and in family businesses, contributing to growth and informing his EOS practice.
- Six key components of EOS: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, Traction—what they are and how they integrate.
- Vision made practical: eight questions covering core values, core focus, 10-year target, marketing strategy, 3-year picture, and 1-year plan.
- Data discipline: shifting from lagging results to weekly leading indicators to predict problems earlier and adjust quickly.
- Issues solving culture: trust-enabled healthy conflict, Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions, and the IDS method to get to root cause.
- Process for scale: documenting core processes (HR, onboarding, operations, reviews) to ensure consistency and growth capacity.
About Your Host
Joshua Kornitsky is a fourth-generation entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and a track record of solving real business problems. Now, as a Professional EOS Implementer, he helps leadership teams align, create clarity, and build accountability.
He grew up in the world of small business, cut his teeth in technology and leadership, and built a path around solving complex problems with simple, effective tools. Joshua brings a practical approach to leadership, growth, and getting things done.
As a host on Cherokee Business Radio, Joshua brings his curiosity and coaching mindset to the mic, drawing out the stories, struggles, and strategies of local business leaders. It’s not just about interviews—it’s about helping the business community learn from each other, grow stronger together, and keep moving forward.
Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
