Commissioner Candice Carter urges clarity and systems-based leadership in ‘Traction’ summary

Candice Carter, a State Civil Service commissioner and founder of The Carter Experience, said Traction’s Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) gives public-sector leaders a practical structure to set vision, place ‘‘the right people in the right seats’’ and maintain accountability.

Carter described EOS as “based on about 6 components” including vision and the people component, which she summarized as ensuring that staff have both technical and soft skills for their roles. She said the system’s emphasis on clarity and repeated communication—“tell people something seven times,” she said—helps translate private-sector ideas to nonprofits and government agencies.

Why it matters: Carter argued that systems reduce guesswork and help agencies scale. She recommended onboarding processes that transfer organizational vision and performance expectations to contractors and employees, and she urged leaders to track data rather than rely solely on passion or gut feeling.

Panel exchange: When Michael Love asked how to adapt EOS in government, Carter said the components are transferable but must be paired with clear onboarding and data tools so public managers can measure progress without violating civil-service rules. “You have to have the data,” she said, describing strategy as the organizing function that complements vision and people.

Context and next steps: Carter suggested practical steps leaders can take—repeat vision in meetings, use dashboards, and build simple role rubrics to assess fit. She also encouraged leaders to practice addressing conflict and to use leadership training offerings from CPTP to develop the necessary habits and systems.

The webinar closed with a promise to share slides and resources; Carter’s remarks were part of a Leadership Academy session hosted by State Civil Service.