Feeling Stuck? Use SWOT to Regain Clarity and Traction®

We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t see the forest through the trees.” And we’ve all been there. When you’re deep in the day‑to‑day, it’s hard to see a situation for what it really is. That’s why leaders need Clarity Breaks™ and tools like SWOT so they can step back, see the truth about the business, and identify what’s actually driving results.

SWOT is a strategic planning and decision-making framework. It helps organizations, teams, and leaders understand their current position so they can build effective strategies, maximize advantages, mitigate risks, and create clarity. And when paired with the EOS Toolbox™, SWOT sets teams up for meaningful action.

Because the goal isn’t just to plan better. It’s about creating Traction® with clear next steps, accountability at every level, and the entire team pulling in the same direction.

What Is a SWOT Analysis?

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It helps teams pinpoint what they do well, where they’re vulnerable, and where they need to adapt.

In companies that run on EOS®, SWOT is often used during Quarterly or Annual Planning Sessions to:

• Step back from the day-to-day to look at the bigger picture.
• Name what’s working and what’s not.
• Identify gaps between the vision and your current state.
• Clarify what to prioritize next.

Think of it as a strategic reset button. It helps your team stop reacting, take a closer look at your current reality, and align on what needs attention. That’s how high-performing teams are able to build real Traction.

Why EOS Teams Should Use SWOT

Some teams treat SWOT like a checklist, just one more thing to fill out and move on from. But great companies use it to spot patterns. It’s a way to slow down, step back, and get everyone speaking the same language about what’s really going on with the company, both internally and externally.

The power isn’t in the tool itself. It’s in how teams choose to use it. The most effective teams use SWOT with three goals in mind:

• Honesty: They’re willing to face the facts, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
• Focus: They filter out distractions to hone in on what actually matters.
• Discipline: They turn insights into issues, Rocks, and next steps. And then, most importantly, they follow through.

It’s not about filling boxes. It’s about creating shared clarity. Because that clarity becomes the fuel for better decisions, stronger alignment, and meaningful progress.

How to Run a SWOT Analysis

SWOT is only as useful as the intention and effort behind it. If you want to drive real clarity and execution, don’t wing it. Prepare ahead of time, run it with structure, and walk out with alignment and next steps.

Here’s how to do it right, step by step.

1. Prep Individually

Before the session, ask each leader to complete their own SWOT matrix. Strengths and Weaknesses should focus on internal realities. Opportunities and Threats are external forces. This personal prep gets people thinking clearly before the group discussion starts (and saves a ton of time in the room).

2. Build the Team Matrix

In the session, start with a blank 2 x 2 grid labeled: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Share individual inputs, then consolidate them into one shared matrix. Look for themes, not duplicates. It’s helpful to use prompts to guide the discussion. For example:

• Strengths: What do we consistently do well? Where are we truly differentiated? Keep these focused on internal items.
• Weaknesses: What’s holding us back? What keeps showing up quarter after quarter? Keep these focused on internal items.
• Opportunities: What’s changing in the market or industry that we can leverage? Keep these focused on external items.
• Threats: What risks could get in the way of our success? Keep these focused on external items.

3. Prioritize and Connect

Once the SWOT matrix is complete, step back and ask: What is actionable next year or in the next quarter? Highlight the most pressing or impactful items in each quadrant. From there, move to action by dropping insights into your Long-Term Issues List and converting some issues into Rocks and To-Dos.

If you're using Ninety, the full SWOT process lives inside the Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®) tool. Every team member can add insights, and you can instantly convert them into Issues, To-Dos, or Rocks — all in one place, at any subscription level. Here’s how it works.

That’s how strategy becomes shared execution. Not just a conversation, but a commitment.

When to Revisit SWOT

Most teams start by using SWOT at annual planning, and that’s a decent start. But if you’re scaling quickly, entering new markets, or anticipating big changes, once a year won’t cut it. You need to start using SWOT year long in your Clarity Breaks. Ask:

• Is our internal capacity keeping up with the market?
• Are we still aligned on where we’re going, and what’s getting in the way?
• Have any threats become more urgent, or are any opportunities more actionable?

And don’t stop with the leadership team. Every department should hold its own Annual Planning Session, including a focused SWOT analysis to align on priorities and build accountability deeper into the organization.

Think of SWOT as a strategic pulse check. EOS gives you the structure to execute. SWOT helps make sure you’re still solving the right problems, at the right time, with the right level of urgency.

That’s how discipline stays connected to reality.

If your team feels scattered or unsure what to focus on next quarter, don’t guess. Use SWOT to identify issues and get clear on what really matters. Then use EOS to act with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• SWOT isn’t a checklist. When used with honesty, focus, and discipline, it helps teams get clear on what matters most.
• EOS teams use SWOT to align, prioritize, and act. It’s part of the planning rhythm, not just a once-a-year exercise.
• Preparation matters. The best sessions start with individual SWOTs and end with real Issues, Rocks, and To-Dos.
• Ninety turns insights into execution. Use the built-in SWOT tool to collaborate, prioritize, and stay aligned — all in one place.
• Revisit often. Annually is good, but Clarity Breaks and quarterly is better, especially when your business is moving fast or facing change.

If you're serious about building a healthier, more aligned organization, don’t wait for clarity to show up on its own. Use SWOT to surface what matters. And use EOS to act on it. That’s how great teams build Traction, quarter after quarter.

Let’s get to work.

Not using Ninety yet? Get a free trial and build your SWOT in your V/TO® today.