By: Courtney Biederbeck, Fractional Integrator
Chaos and business don’t mix. While the Visionary’s focus is on the big ideas and looking ahead to the next important business initiative (or three), the Integrator is working to put those ideas into motion. Both roles are important, eventually requiring full-time focus, and, when the seats are filled and aligned, they align with a smoothly-running business.
When circumstances require the Visionary to also fill the Integrator role, it can be confusing for the team in addition to causing challenges for the Visionary wearing both hats. Statistics (EOS® and Lorenz Hartung) tell us that around 8% of leadership are suited to fill both roles, which means the majority of leaders are best suited to the Visionary lane or the Integrator lane, working alongside their ideal counterpart. However, we know that sometimes the needs of the business mean that the Visionary is also filling the Integrator seat temporarily.
We offer the following tips to those sitting in both the Visionary and Integrator seats as they navigate leading both the idea generation and the team to business success. This article could also be beneficial from the lens of any leaders on the team sitting in multiple seats, especially a seat that is a direct report! For the purposes of this conversation, let’s call our joint Visionary/Integrator Sam. Sam is a phenomenal Visionary, coming up with 20+ new ideas a day, envisioning a bigger, better business. When Sam and the team decided to implement a new business operating system, it was obvious Sam could continue as the Visionary only with the support of a rockstar Integrator. As the search for the right Integrator is under way, Sam sits in both seats and must balance ideation with implementation.
Tip #1: Clearly (or physically) wear a different hat to clarify the role
Whether the act of sitting in two seats is a planned transition or comes out of necessity, it is as important for the Visionary sitting in those seats to be clear to themselves about which role they are assuming when making a decision, delivering a directive, sitting in a meeting, or taking in feedback. The practice of considering and physically calling out which hat is being worn can help the team decipher with whom they are interacting and also put the Visionary/Integrator into the right mindset to focus. Share the expectation with your team to also be ok with opening up and asking the question “which hat are you wearing right now?” or that you may state “I am going all Visionary on this one, so bare with me!” etc.
For companies like Sam’s, growing into needing both Visionary and Integrator seats filled with the right people, it is key that the entire team transition together. As the trust and strong communication between the Visionary and Integrator are foundational for their relationship, so goes the team. Those who make the business hum expect – even if unspoken – that trust and communication flow down through the organization. For these reasons, the Visionary must pay attention to the directives to the team, and ask themselves from which role they are speaking.
Tip #2: Take breaks to reflect on your dual roles and dual priorities
It is important for Sam to schedule Clarity Breaks™ – one for each seat, separately – and make time for Same Page Meetings™ with the team leaders, helping to clarify the roles. Segmenting each list of duties helps Sam and the team understand the responsibilities and accountabilities of both the Integrator and the Visionary. Setting the parameters for each role translates to an easier transition once the Integrator is filled. It will be a time balance to be aware of how at different times one can take more time than the other making it easy to neglect the things you don’t love doing but NEED to do! Be cognisant of these things and also use tip #4 to be aware of when you may be ready to get some help.
Tip #3: Attending a meeting in 2 seats
Meetings may be tricky for Sam. After all, how will the team know which seat is being represented when Sam speaks? This is where clear verbalization by Sam – or a physical hat change – can reduce confusion amongst the leadership and team. When it comes to L10’s, Sam must lead the meeting from the Integrator seat. Sharing the big ideas as the Visionary is also important and can be clearly stated as such, not pushing their own agenda since they are in both seats and in the meeting as one person. Consider how this dynamic is also difficult for other team members that are in multiple seats.
When it comes to Quarterly or Annual meetings, Sam may find it helpful to seek an external resource to facilitate. An EOS Implementer® or a seasoned Integrator facilitator will allow Sam to focus on sitting in the Visionary seat and bring ideas for new goals; Sam can leave the accountability, timekeeping and staying on track with facilitation to someone who has the love for doing it.
Tip #4: Accountability to your seats and getting support
As a Visionary, Sam isn’t great with the details. As an Integrator, Sam must nail the details. Process documentation, management and growth of the organization, leading productive meetings, and translating ideas into action are all things at which Sam must be great. While these tasks must take priority, it is equally important for Sam to recognize, be honest about, and then verbalize when extra help is needed. The devil is in the details, yet you do not need to do it alone. Whether through a coach or mentor, assistance from a leadership team member on defined tasks, or through a Fractional Integrator, the success of Sam, and thereby the company, depend on Sam’s ability to keep all the balls in the air, or to delegate it to someone who can! Get crystal clear on what parts of each seat you enjoy doing and identify if its both seats, Visionary or Integrator and put a plan in place to move you in those directions when ready. Utilize an exercise like Delegate and Elevate™ tool or Unique Ability® from Strategic Coach® .
Modeling clear lines between the role, for Sam’s own mind and that of the team, means forward momentum toward the big goals, the future of the business, and an ideal Visionary/Integrator balance. If you are like Sam, we can support you with a Fractional Integrator to help balance the load and get you more into your Unique Ability, to do the things only you can do as the Visionary. It’s never easy to take on two roles, though with the right support, a clear mindset, great boundaries, and lots of good communication, Sam could be effective in both roles and take the company to new heights with the right support!