7 Levels

The Game-Changing Formula for Personal Growth and Achievement

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Viktor E. Frankl

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, leaders face an array of challenges that can often leave them feeling overwhelmed and powerless. However, by embracing the powerful E+R=O (Event + Response = Outcome) formula, leaders can regain control and achieve success in their professional and personal lives. This influential concept encourages personal responsibility, adaptability, and resilience, empowering leaders to create better outcomes for themselves and their teams.

Understanding the E+R=O Formula

The E+R=O formula illustrates that our responses to events, rather than the events themselves, primarily determine our outcomes. Focusing on what we can control – our response – can influence the results we experience. This principle fosters personal responsibility, self-awareness, and growth, empowering leaders to take charge of their reactions and, ultimately, their lives.

Events (E) are the situations or circumstances in our lives. They can be positive, negative, or neutral and come in various forms, such as opportunities, challenges, or changes. We often have little or no control over these events.

Responses (R) are how we choose to react or respond to the events. Responses include our thoughts, emotions, and actions. While we may not have control over the events themselves, we do have control over how we respond to them.

Outcomes (O) are the results or consequences that follow the events and our responses to them. The formula suggests that the outcomes we experience are a direct result of our responses to the events rather than the events themselves.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

Charles R. Swindoll

Leadership Success

Numerous influential leaders have embraced the E+R=O concept in their work and lives.

Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, believed in empowering employees and promoting a strong culture of personal responsibility. Under his leadership, GE adopted the concept of “boundaryless behavior,” which encouraged employees to take responsibility for their actions and fostered a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This mindset emphasizes the importance of one’s response to events in shaping outcomes.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, instilled a growth mindset within Microsoft, focusing on continuous learning and improvement. He has emphasized the importance of adaptability and resilience, which are vital aspects of the E+R=O approach. By encouraging employees to take responsibility for their actions and learn from their experiences, Nadella’s leadership style promotes the principles of the formula.

Angela Duckworth, author and psychologist, focuses on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and personal responsibility in achieving success. Her research on grit (a combination of passion and perseverance) influenced various fields, including education, business, and sports.

“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”

Brian Tracy

Seven Key Strategies

To successfully integrate the E+R=O formula into your leadership approach, consider the following strategies:

1. Cultivate self-awareness: Regularly assess your thoughts, emotions, and actions in response to events. Recognize patterns and identify areas where you can improve your reactions to better align with your goals and values. Practicing mindfulness and self-reflection can be effective tools for developing self-awareness.
2. Embrace personal responsibility: Take ownership of your decisions, actions, and the outcomes they produce. Hold yourself accountable for your response to events, regardless of whether the event was within your control. By embracing personal responsibility, you build a strong foundation for personal growth and success.
3. Develop adaptability and resilience: Strengthen your ability to adapt to change and bounce back from setbacks. Understand that while events and circumstances are often unpredictable, you can control your response and navigate through challenges. To build resilience, practice reframing negative experiences, focusing on what you can learn from them, and maintaining a positive outlook.
4. Focus on continuous learning and improvement: Learn from your experiences and use them as opportunities to grow. Embrace a growth mindset, developing your abilities through dedication and hard work. Reflect on your responses to events and seek feedback from others to identify areas where you can improve your reactions.
5. Establish clear goals and values: Define your personal and professional objectives and use them as a guide for your responses to events. Ensure that your reactions align with your values and contribute to achieving your goals. Regularly revisit your goals and values to ensure they remain relevant and motivating.
6. Practice effective communication: Communicate your thoughts and feelings in a clear, respectful, and assertive manner, especially when facing challenging events. Effective communication can help you navigate difficult situations, maintain healthy relationships, and create positive outcomes.
7. Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who share your values, encourage personal growth, and provide constructive feedback. A strong support network can help you stay motivated, accountable, and resilient in the face of challenges.

The 2014 Ohio State Buckeye Football Team

Among the most inspiring examples of E+R=O in action comes from college football coach Urban Meyer’s relentless pursuit of success in the face of significant obstacles. His 2014 Ohio State Buckeye National Championship football team faced several significant challenges and roadblocks during their season. 

The first unfortunate event struck in the preseason. Big 10 star QB, Braxton Miller, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during practice. This forced Ohio State to rely on redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett as their starting quarterback.

“When we teach our players about E+R=O, we empower them to take control of their lives by focusing on their response to events, rather than dwelling on the events themselves.”

Urban Meyer

Ohio State fell to Virginia Tech in a surprising, early-season home loss, putting their chances of making it to the College Football Playoff in jeopardy. The team would have to regroup and win the rest of their games to keep playoff hopes alive.

The Buckeyes were hit hard with the loss of a fellow teammate. Authorities located missing offensive lineman Kosta Karageorge, finding his body the day after the OSU-Michigan game. Ruling Karageorge’s death as a suicide added another layer of shock, profoundly affecting the team’s mental state.

Just 24 hours before discovering this grim, off-the-field tragedy, the Buckeyes hit their season high and low. While Ohio State managed to best their rivals in the final game of the regular season, J.T. Barrett, who performed exceptionally well during the season, fractured his ankle. Urban Meyer and his Buckeyes stared down the latest in a series of relentless setbacks and chose to rise to the occasion.

The following week, third-string quarterback Cardale Jones led the team to a 59-0 win over Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship.

Despite these challenges, the 2014 Ohio State Buckeye football team overcame adversity. They emerged as National Champions, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff semifinal and the Oregon Ducks in the National Championship game. Their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity serve as a testament to the power of the E+R=O formula and the leadership of Coach Urban Meyer.

“If what you are doing isn’t working, change it. Don’t blame the E, choose a better R. Don’t hold on to what’s holding you back.”

Urban Meyer

The story of the 2014 Ohio State Buckeye football team serves as a compelling reminder that we all have the power to shape our outcomes by choosing how we respond to the challenges and events we encounter in life. By embracing the E+R=O formula and cultivating a mindset of personal responsibility, adaptability, and resilience, leaders can overcome adversity and succeed in their careers and personal lives. Adopt the E+R=O approach, empower yourself and your team, unlock your full potential and drive success for your organization.

Want more? Check out these related books.