Empowering Self-Managing Teams Through the 4x4 Framework

Let’s cut to the chase - managing teams and projects can be a huge time suck for results-driven quick-starts like you and me. It just isn’t efficient.

I was talking to Dan Sullivan about this and he shared The 4x4 Method that has the power to move your team beyond traditional management and empower them to take ownership of their roles. With this tool, you can move away from top-down management and create a culture where everyone is a leader and contributor.

The 4x4 Method has four performance metrics with four participation metrics:

• Performance: How are you showing up? Are you alert, curious, responsive, and resourceful? It’s about being proactive, not just going through the motions
• Results: How are you making things faster, easier, cheaper, and bigger? This is all about innovation and efficiency. 
• Being a Hero: How are you going above and beyond to create real value for the company? Think about how you can make a significant impact
• What Drives Me Crazy: This is the "what not to do" list. It's about avoiding things like falling behind, being isolated, and just following orders without any initiative
• 4x4 participation is voluntary, but non-participation will be noticed
• Complete an updated 4x4 every quarter
• 4x4s are posted online for full transparency
• $250 incentive each quarter ($1000/year) for those who complete the 4x4 each quarter

  
  KEY TAKEAWAYS
  
  

  • [00:00:18] I used AI to create an updated incentive program that's based on the 4x4 framework Dan has been using for over 10 years in Strategic Coach
  • [00:01:32] The 4x4 Framework is designed to get your team thinking about their roles in a whole new way.
  • [00:04:39] Invite people to participate in the 4x4 process voluntarily, but non-participation is going to be noticed. This is all about creating ownership. The whole company should do this every quarter. It's not a one-off thing. It's about how they will perform, show up, and the results they'll achieve. We're talking about being alert, curious, responsive, resourceful. And the results are faster, easier, cheaper, and bigger.
  • [00:07:55] Dan shares how he used the 4x4 with Gord Vickman when he first came on board. He got a page outlining how he could be a "hero", and what would drive Dan crazy. He says that one of the things that would drive him crazy is when someone is isolated and disconnected. You have to be specific with your expectations.
  • [00:08:54] Gord comes on to talk about his experience with the 4x4, and he says it felt like getting the answers to the exam. The 4x4 gave him a clear idea of what was expected, which is more than a typical job description.
  • [00:11:43] The 4x4 is broken into four sections:
    • Performance: How you show up – alert, curious, responsive, resourceful.
    • Results: Faster, easier, cheaper, bigger.
    • Being a hero: This is open for interpretation, but it's about creating value.
    • What drives me crazy: Specific things to avoid.
  • [00:12:57] I used Ai to generate 4x4s for my team and then create an updated incentive program for them. I had a dialogue with it on exactly what kind of new incentive program we could have. Ai can save you days of work, but you need a framework like the 4x4 to make the psychology accurate.
  • [00:16:46] Dan’s incentive strategy for 2025 offers team members $250/quarter for filling out their 4x4s and posting them online. It's about creating a company-wide focus, transparency, accountability, and focus. It helps team members see what works.
  • [00:19:22] SNEAK PEAK: I demonstrate how to use Ai with forms – I take a quick picture, drop it into ChatGPT, and have ChatGPT fill it out. (This saves HOURS.) 
  • [00:21:40] Dan explains that by making the 4x4s public, people will naturally see who is being specific and measurable in their goals. It’s a way of learning without having a class, that will help team members become more specific and practical.
  • [00:23:14] The 4x4 process will help you build a self-managing company because self-managing companies are built from self-managing individuals.
  • [00:23:55] The fourth quadrant (what drives you crazy) is not something to be feared. It’s like a tiger cage - you have to try hard to get yourself in there.
  • [00:34:42] The 4x4 process helps us move towards the mindset of "How can I be a hero to the customer and the company?” The "hero" objectives are fun, they allow you to make guesses and bets about what could work.
  • [00:41:18] The goal is for this to be a process where the players will show up to play and give people who've never been heard from a chance to develop themselves. Surprising benefits include a shift in the culture and mindsets. 

This 4x4 system is a game-changer for building self-managing teams that are accountable and produce real results.

Want to join me for a Cup of Coffee at my Digital Cafe?  Meet 1:1 for a virtual session, where we’ll spend 30 minutes brainstorming your “Next Act”, next big opportunity, or biggest challenge you want solved. Want to join me? This is where we can meet.