My Integrator and I are experiencing major friction because I keep going directly to our department heads to push my creative ideas, which she says completely undermines her authority in the Integrator seat. How do we resolve this without me feeling like I am completely locked out of my own company?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is the classic Visionary and Integrator disconnect, and it is actively damaging your leadership team. When you bypass your Integrator to direct department heads, you create confusion and dilute accountability. The department heads do not know who to listen to, and your Integrator cannot run the day-to-day business effectively.

You must respect the line on your Accountability Chart. The Integrator sits between you and the rest of the leadership team. Every department head reports directly to the Integrator, not to you. If you have a brilliant new idea or a strategic shift, you must bring it to your Integrator first.

Use your Same Page Meeting to hash out these ideas. This is your dedicated, private time to align. If your Integrator agrees the idea fits the V/TO and has merit, the Integrator will cascade it down to the team. If the Integrator says it is a distraction, you must let it go or shelf it for the next quarterly planning session.

To keep you from feeling locked out of your company, ensure your Visionary seat has clear, high-level roles. Focus your energy on big-picture relationships, culture, and major industry innovations, including how you can leverage new technologies. Leave the execution, project management, and direct leadership of the team to your Integrator. That is what they are in the seat to do.