Our Operations Manager wants to step up into our open Integrator seat as we prepare the business for sale. She is a great core values fit and knows our systems, but how do we know if she has the natural drive to lead the entire leadership team?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Moving from an operations manager role to the Integrator seat is a massive leap that requires a fundamentally different conative profile. While an operations manager focuses on executing existing processes, an Integrator must lead, manage, and hold the entire leadership team accountable, while serving as the harmonious bridge between the Visionary and the rest of the company. To determine if she GWC this seat, look beyond her passion and use conative screening tools like the Kolbe Index. A successful Integrator typically needs a strong drive in Follow Thru to build and maintain the systems that run the business, and a high drive in Fact Finder to analyze data and make objective, unemotional decisions. They also need enough Quickstart to handle change, but not so much that they create the same whiplash as a Visionary. If her Kolbe profile shows a very low drive in Follow Thru or an extreme resistance to structured accountability, she will likely struggle and burn out in the Integrator seat, despite her best intentions. Use her Kolbe results alongside the GWC filter to have an honest conversation. If she is not the right fit for the Integrator seat, keep her in operations where she excels, and look externally for a proven Integrator who can confidently lead your exit.