We are ready to add a dedicated Integrator seat to our Accountability Chart to free up our Visionary, but we are struggling to define the exact roles for the seat. We are afraid of hiring an expensive executive who just wants to delegate, or conversely, a project manager who lacks true leadership capability. How do we define the Integrator seat roles to ensure we get the right leader?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To find the right Integrator, you must define the seat on your Accountability Chart before you look at any resumes. Avoid the temptation to write a generic job description. Instead, focus on the five core roles that define an effective Integrator in the EOS framework.

The standard five core roles for an Integrator seat are:
- Leading, managing, and holding the leadership team accountable
- Executing the business plan and driving results
- Harmonizing and integrating the major functions of the business
- Ensuring cross-functional communication and collaboration
- Removing obstacles and barriers to execution

By defining the seat this way, you make it clear that the Integrator is not a passive executive who only looks at reports, nor are they a mid-level project manager who lacks authority. The Integrator is the drumbeat of the company, responsible for turning the Visionary's ideas into operational reality.

Once these roles are defined, use the GWC tool to evaluate candidates. They must fully understand the operational complexity of your business, genuinely want the daily responsibility of driving accountability, and have the mental and emotional capacity to lead your department heads. This clarity ensures you hire a leader who can build the operational leverage needed for a clean exit.