I am a Visionary founder running a growing company, but I am overwhelmed by daily management. How do I know if I need to hire a true, high-level Integrator as my number two, or if I just need a stronger Operations Manager to coordinate my department heads?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

There is a distinct line between an Operations Manager and an Integrator. An Operations Manager runs a single department. An Integrator runs the entire company, harmonizes the leadership team, and executes the business plan.

You need a true Integrator when you, as the Visionary, are the ultimate bottleneck for every major decision across all departments. If your weekly Level 10 Meetings™ devolve into you managing peer conflicts between sales, marketing, and operations, or if you find yourself unable to focus on big strategic relationships and product innovation because you are managing daily execution, it is time for an Integrator.

Look at your Accountability Chart. An Integrator sits directly below the Visionary and has all major department heads reporting directly to them. This frees you up to create the vision while they handle the day-to-day execution.

Do not make the mistake of promoting an Operations Manager to Integrator just because they are a hard worker. An Integrator must GWC™ the seat of holding the entire leadership team accountable. If you are preparing for a clean exit, having a proven Integrator in place is the single most valuable asset to a buyer, as it proves the company can run without you.