Success in business isn't just about having a great idea—it’s about execution, strategy, and leadership. Underneath it all, however, is maintaining a healthy perspective on work and life. Few understand this better than Bill Duguay, a seasoned entrepreneur and EOS Worldwide implementer.
With years of experience helping companies gain traction and achieve explosive growth, Duguay has become a go-to expert for organizations looking to break through barriers and for entrepreneurs seeking to improve their work-life integration. But what drives his passion for leadership and transformation?
In this exclusive interview, we dive into Duguay's journey, the principles that guide his work, and the insights that have helped countless businesses and leaders scale to new heights. Read on!
Tell Us About Your Entrepreneurship Journey and How EOS Impacted Your Approach to Work
I started out sweeping floors, picking up nails, and hauling supplies for my dad’s remodeling business every day after school, meeting up with him when he got out of his day job. From there, I worked up to CEO of a $250M employee-owned construction firm. On that journey, I sat in just about every seat—and some of them were pretty damn uncomfortable, especially the CEO one.
See, my approach to solving problems used to be “work harder, throw more hours at it, add more people.” I didn’t know how to get a team truly aligned, how to focus on what moves the needle, or how to build a leadership team that didn’t just work together but performed at the highest level—until I found EOS. Seeing it in action was a game-changer. And it’s simple stuff: have better meetings, keep a scorecard, solve issues, be clear about who’s doing what. Be a great leadership team.
Now, I’m obsessed with helping other business owners and leadership teams break through without the frustration, brute force, and burnout.
What Is Work-Life Integration, and How Can Entrepreneurs and Businesses Achieve It?
I think in terms of work-life integration, not work-life balance. Integration is designing a lifestyle that aligns your personal and professional life for true fulfillment. Achieving it is simple (although not easy):
Have clarity of vision to clearly define what your ideal life looks like, then
Focus on your strengths and ruthlessly delegate the rest, then
Create a culture of accountability. Build a team culture where every person in the organization knows their role and takes ownership of it.
Use these three things to create boundaries, and learn to say no to everything that falls outside of this.
What Are the Most Common Hurdles Entrepreneurs, C-Suites, and Employees Face When It Comes to Work-Life Integration?
Many founders started the organization because they love doing something, delivering a product or service, and they wanted autonomy to create something special on their own terms. They started off being the chief cook and bottle washer, pouring all their time, effort, and sometimes their savings into getting things going.
At some point, they’ll reach the point where they have to decide if they are the roadblock to growth and what it would take to start delegating tasks—even critical tasks and outcomes—to others. Delegating becomes one of the most critical and difficult responsibilities entrepreneurs and leaders face when we consider work-life integration and what’s keeping us from fully achieving it.
What Are Some Key Takeaways You’ve Found From Working With Other Entrepreneurs (in EO Boston and Elsewhere)?
It’s the hunger, the thirst for knowledge, the dissatisfaction with the status quo. That’s the real energy of entrepreneurship that EO brings out. Everyone here will make an impact in the community.
What Role Does EOS Play in Helping Entrepreneurs Improve Work-Life Balance/Integration?
Working with an implementer to run your organization on EOS is the fast track to getting a grip on your business and allowing you to live your ideal life.
I help founders and leaders create an organization that doesn’t revolve around them and their talents. A large part of this is helping the team have the conversations they need to have, build trust with each other, and engage in healthier conflict that leads to better commitments, accountability, and results.
By helping the leadership team get aligned on where the organization is going and the plan to achieve it, we can focus and build accountability while executing that plan, all while doing it with people we truly enjoy being with. This helps the founder, the leadership team, and the entire organization achieve work-life integration.
What Have You Learned Since Entering a Strategic Alliance Partnership With Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Boston?
The learning days and accelerator days have all been fantastic. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with best-selling authors and subject matter experts, build relationships, meet in great places, and do it with people I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise.
With entrepreneurs at every stage of growth, the EO core values have been front and center, helping us all grow.
What’s on the Horizon for You? What’s Next?
A couple of things are in the works:
I’ve been asked many times to consider being an executive coach, so I’m setting aside one day a week to work with executives looking to be their best;
Writing a book;
Adding three cool workshops; and
Building a Harley Softail bobber.
What’s the Best Piece of Advice You Can Give to Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs, Especially When It Comes to Work-Life Integration?
Starting and scaling a business is tough; most people can’t do it. Do these three things as quickly as you can:
Join a peer group like EO, lean in, and participate. You will grow in ways you can't imagine.
Figure out how to run your business on a system that doesn’t just rely on you. Systems scale, but there’s only one of you.
When you first get the business started, you're willing to put time, effort, money, passion, and everything into getting it going. These three things will help you focus, prioritize, and build self-accountability to smooth out your journey (and have some fun along the way.) Have a plan, execute that plan, and live well. That’s work-life integration.
Anything Else You Want to Share With Us?
When I’m not coaching high-performing teams, you'll find me riding my Harley, tending to our garden, or cooking gourmet meals for family and friends.
I’m passionate about exploring new places with loved ones, appreciating the craftsmanship of those who create, and making every experience—personal or professional—meaningful and impactful. That’s my work-life integration.
Grow Your Business With Ease!
Bill Duguay’s expertise proves that with the right strategy and support, any business can thrive. If you're ready to scale, innovate, and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, EO Boston is the place for you. Don’t navigate the journey alone; join EO Boston today and take your business to new heights!
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