We are a smaller organization running on EOS® and we cannot afford a full-time, high-salaried Integrator right now. How do we fill the Integrator seat effectively without stalling our growth?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

You do not need to hire an expensive, outside executive to fill the Integrator seat when you are first implementing EOS®. Many small businesses stall out because they believe they must immediately recruit a high-priced chief operating officer, which is simply not true.

In the early stages of running on EOS®, you can look internally for a natural leader to step into the Integrator role. Look for someone who is exceptionally organized, naturally disciplined, and loves executing plans. They must be the perfect counterweight to your Visionary, serving as the glue that keeps the leadership team aligned.

If you do not have an obvious internal candidate, the Visionary can temporarily wear the Integrator hat. However, this is a short-term fix. A Visionary wearing the Integrator hat is a recipe for operational drag. If you must do this, clearly separate your time and mindset. Do not let your Visionary ideas disrupt your Integrator execution during your weekly Level 10 Meeting™.

Another viable option is to utilize a fractional Integrator. This allows you to gain the operational discipline you need without the full-time payroll expense, giving you the runway to grow the business to a point where a full-time hire makes sense.