By Stephanie Bowles
Picture your business as a constantly moving stream of ideas, tasks, and opportunities. Now imagine having a strategic partner whose superpower is taking all of that movement and transforming it into clear, actionable progress. That's what an Integrator brings to your team. Here’s what you can do to mentally prepare to make the most of your Integrator.
The First 90 Days: Creating Order from Chaos
Think of bringing in an Integrator like having a second mind to help you compartmentalize all of the ideas, tasks, and issues in your business. The first 90 days aren't just about learning your business; they're about establishing the rhythms that will drive your success. Here's what needs to happen:
1. Organize the Mental Load
Remember that feeling when you first open a junk drawer you've been avoiding for months? That's often how it feels when we first start unpacking everything that's whirling around in your head:
Outstanding projects and initiatives
Team dynamics and challenges
Operational bottlenecks
Strategic opportunities
Day-to-day issues that need resolution
This process is about getting everything out in the open before we can create meaningful order—just like that satisfying moment when you've emptied the drawer completely and can finally see what you're working with.
2. Commit to an Operating System
Your Integrator's crucial role is making your operating system (e.g., EOS) work in your unique business environment. It's similar to conducting an orchestra - it's not just about having all the right instruments, but ensuring everyone plays in harmony and follows the same tempo:
Setting up and maintaining the meeting pulse
Integrate and reinforcing EOS tools
Creating accountability around 90-day priorities
Making sure Issues get properly resolved (IDS = Identify, Discuss, Solve)
Keeping the team focused on quarterly priorities
3. Make Strategy Actionable
One of the biggest challenges I see is bridging the gap between big-picture vision and daily execution. Your Integrator will:
Break down strategic goals into manageable tasks
Create clear ownership and timelines
Establish metrics to track progress
Ensure daily activities align with quarterly goals
Keep the team focused on what matters most
Maximizing the Partnership
The real power of having an Integrator comes from how they help you maintain clarity and momentum. In the beginning, it can feel messy and overwhelming because you are literally looking at EVERYTHING, everywhere, all at once (and yes, I mean that in the most multiverse-breaking way possible! 😉).
1. Embrace the Organization Process
Just like the beloved KonMari method, we need to:
Let your Integrator help you dump all those ideas and issues onto the table
Trust the process of prioritizing and organizing
Be open about challenges and bottlenecks
Share your thought process, even if it feels messy
2. Commit to the Rhythm
The magic happens in your trust in the process and the consistent execution through:
Weekly Level 10 Meetings
Quarterly planning sessions
Monthly metric reviews
Regular Same-Page Meetings between Visionary and Integrator
3. Use Their Objective Perspective
Your Integrator brings fresh eyes and proven tools to:
Spot patterns in your challenges
Suggest efficient solutions
Question "we've always done it this way" thinking
Bring best practices from other industries
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Holding Back Information: Your Integrator can only help organize and strategize what they know about. Share generously—think of it like trying to solve a puzzle when someone's holding onto half the pieces!
Resisting the Process: Trust that temporary disruption leads to lasting clarity and efficiency (aka short-term pain = long-term gain). Remember, even the most beautiful butterfly has to go through that awkward cocoon phase. 🦋
Skipping the Fundamentals: EOS tools work when used consistently. Don't skip steps, even when busy—it's like trying to build a house without laying the foundation first.
Signs It's Working
You'll know your Integrator partnership is successful when:
Your mind feels less cluttered with business details
Teams are clear on priorities and ownership
Strategic goals consistently get accomplished
Meetings are focused and productive
Issues get solved instead of recycled
You have more time to focus on vision and growth
The business feels more organized and intentional
Moving Forward
Working with an Integrator isn't just about having someone manage your operations—it's about having a partner who can help you organize the complexity of your business into clear, actionable steps. When done right, it feels like having a second brain focused entirely on turning your vision into reality.
The goal is to move from feeling overwhelmed by all the moving pieces to feeling confident that everything has its place and purpose. As we hear from many of our clients, it's like having someone who can read your mind and turn your thoughts into action. ✨
Are you ready to bring more clarity and strategic execution to your business? The key lies in finding the right Integrator to meet you where you are at, whether full time or fractional and fully engaging in the partnership they offer. If you have an Integrator in need of support on any of these things, an Integrator Coach or Mentor is a great option also.
Let's create that feeling of "everything in its place" for your business—reach out and let's start organizing the chaos into clarity.