By: Courtney Biederbeck, Fractional Integrator

Chaos and business don’t mix. While the Visionary’s focus is on the big ideas and looking ahead to the next important business initiative (or three), the Integrator is working to put those ideas into motion. Both roles are important, eventually requiring full-time focus, and, when the seats are filled and aligned, they align with a smoothly-running business.

When circumstances require the Visionary to also fill the Integrator role, it can be confusing for the team in addition to causing challenges for the Visionary wearing both hats. Statistics (EOS® and Lorenz Hartung) tell us that around 8% of leadership are suited to fill both roles, which means the majority of leaders are best suited to the Visionary lane or the Integrator lane, working alongside their ideal counterpart. However, we know that sometimes the needs of the business mean that the Visionary is also filling the Integrator seat temporarily.

We offer the following tips to those sitting in both the Visionary and Integrator seats as they navigate leading both the idea generation and the team to business success. This article could also be beneficial from the lens of any leaders on the team sitting in multiple seats, especially a seat that is a direct report! For the purposes of this conversation, let’s call our joint Visionary/Integrator Sam. Sam is a phenomenal Visionary, coming up with 20+ new ideas a day, envisioning a bigger, better business. When Sam and the team decided to implement a new business operating system, it was obvious Sam could continue as the Visionary only with the support of a rockstar Integrator. As the search for the right Integrator is under way, Sam sits in both seats and must balance ideation with implementation.

Tip #1: Clearly (or physically) wear a different hat to clarify the role

Whether the act of sitting in two seats is a planned transition or comes out of necessity, it is as important for the Visionary sitting in those seats to be clear to themselves about which role they are assuming when making a decision, delivering a directive, sitting in a meeting, or taking in feedback. The practice of considering and physically calling out which hat is being worn can help the team decipher with whom they are interacting and also put the Visionary/Integrator into the right mindset to focus. Share the expectation with your team to also be ok with opening up and asking the question “which hat are you wearing right now?” or that you may state “I am going all Visionary on this one, so bare with me!” etc.

For companies like Sam’s, growing into needing both Visionary and Integrator seats filled with the right people, it is key that the entire team transition together. As the trust and strong communication between the Visionary and Integrator are foundational for their relationship, so goes the team. Those who make the business hum expect – even if unspoken – that trust and communication flow down through the organization. For these reasons, the Visionary must pay attention to the directives to the team, and ask themselves from which role they are speaking.

Tip #2: Take breaks to reflect on your dual roles and dual priorities

It is important for Sam to schedule Clarity Breaks™ – one for each seat, separately – and make time for Same Page Meetings™ with the team leaders, helping to clarify the roles. Segmenting each list of duties helps Sam and the team understand the responsibilities and accountabilities of both the Integrator and the Visionary. Setting the parameters for each role translates to an easier transition once the Integrator is filled. It will be a time balance to be aware of how at different times one can take more time than the other making it easy to neglect the things you don’t love doing but NEED to do! Be cognisant of these things and also use tip #4 to be aware of when you may be ready to get some help.

Tip #3: Attending a meeting in 2 seats

Meetings may be tricky for Sam. After all, how will the team know which seat is being represented when Sam speaks? This is where clear verbalization by Sam – or a physical hat change – can reduce confusion amongst the leadership and team. When it comes to L10’s, Sam must lead the meeting from the Integrator seat. Sharing the big ideas as the Visionary is also important and can be clearly stated as such, not pushing their own agenda since they are in both seats and in the meeting as one person. Consider how this dynamic is also difficult for other team members that are in multiple seats.

When it comes to Quarterly or Annual meetings, Sam may find it helpful to seek an external resource to facilitate. An EOS Implementer® or a seasoned Integrator facilitator will allow Sam to focus on sitting in the Visionary seat and bring ideas for new goals; Sam can leave the accountability, timekeeping and staying on track with facilitation to someone who has the love for doing it.

Tip #4: Accountability to your seats and getting support

As a Visionary, Sam isn’t great with the details. As an Integrator, Sam must nail the details. Process documentation, management and growth of the organization, leading productive meetings, and translating ideas into action are all things at which Sam must be great. While these tasks must take priority, it is equally important for Sam to recognize, be honest about, and then verbalize when extra help is needed. The devil is in the details, yet you do not need to do it alone. Whether through a coach or mentor, assistance from a leadership team member on defined tasks, or through a Fractional Integrator, the success of Sam, and thereby the company, depend on Sam’s ability to keep all the balls in the air, or to delegate it to someone who can! Get crystal clear on what parts of each seat you enjoy doing and identify if its both seats, Visionary or Integrator and put a plan in place to move you in those directions when ready. Utilize an exercise like Delegate and Elevate™ tool or Unique Ability® from Strategic Coach® .

Modeling clear lines between the role, for Sam’s own mind and that of the team, means forward momentum toward the big goals, the future of the business, and an ideal Visionary/Integrator balance. If you are like Sam, we can support you with a Fractional Integrator to help balance the load and get you more into your Unique Ability, to do the things only you can do as the Visionary. It’s never easy to take on two roles, though with the right support, a clear mindset, great boundaries, and lots of good communication, Sam could be effective in both roles and take the company to new heights with the right support!

Each year, the color company, Pantone, announces their Color of the Year. The color for 2023 is Viva Magenta, described as “expressive of a new signal of strength… brave and fearless…” We think this vibrant color is a pretty great sign to plan for, experience, and then reap the rewards of a well-planned 2023! So what is your plan or theme for the year ahead?

Whether you complete your personal vision plan in early 2023 or in April when the seasons are changing again, your year of personal success – as with your business - can begin at any time! The most important thing is to get started, then find someone to hold you accountable as you reach your goals. Let’s talk about how to get started with taking your vision and making it actionable this year, so that you get to the end of the year and all of your goals are DONE! So let’s get to it.

PLAN YOUR RETREAT

It’s up to you to describe what your ideal life looks and feels like and the following steps will help you bring that ideal life to reality. The process starts with dedicated retreat time. It may be you and your partner planning your future. Or you may be flying solo. Either way, plan your retreat time at home with no distractions or better yet, at a hotel or other away-from-home escape. We like to do this in Cabo San Lucas Mexico and spread it out over the course of a week! Whatever you do, try and be free of distractions in a place where you can be focused.

PREP WORK

Before you head out on your retreat:

Watch The Secret: watch the movie “The Secret,” taking notes together and pausing where notable topics require discussion or careful reflection. I suggest paying specific attention to the force known as the ‘law of attraction.’
Living Space Walk-Through: take a walk through your house, apartment, wherever you live, noting all projects and improvements you intend to make, assigning a priority level for each task. As you review the list, consider who is the best option to complete the project – is it your or your partner? Or is it a contractor? (Be honest!) And associate approximate costs to help you decide what to complete and when.
Pack:

Notebook and pen
Calendar
Budget
Living Space project list
Blank thank you notes
Vision board components (poster board or cardboard and magazines or other printed publications from which you find inspiration)

THE RETREAT

As you dedicate the next 36 – 48 hours to focusing on the future, keep the law of attraction in mind. Relieve yourself of any negative thoughts. Imagine a life where there is plenty of money, where you’re making a difference with the people you love, all as defined by you.

The retreat is the time to dig deep with your partner or with your inner voice if you’re single. Talk or think things through carefully. Lay out your desires, your hopes, and your dreams. Absolute clarity is the ideal goal when you leave the retreat. Keep this Buddhist quote at the forefront: “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”

RETREAT AGENDA

Night One:

Enjoy dinner out to dream big and get clarity! Make sure and bring your notebook to write down your ideas.

Begin with a discussion (or think and journal if you’re on your own) of the topics of what and whom each of you is grateful for.
Think about your big dreams and desires for your life 5-10 years from now. Personal, professional, family, income, etc.
Next, what must be true in the future to move you in that right direction? Write your set of affirmations (all ideas for right now, nothing has to be formal yet - eventually we want 3-7 different ones), written as if they are already true. An example of an affirmation is: “I am living in my dream home, I have the time and freedom to visit amazing destinations for two weeks each year, I am living my ideal life, I am smart and successful, I am living in perfect health, I travel to a new destination four times per year.” You get the idea.

Next it’s craft time in your room!

Create your vision board(s), depicting your ideal life 5-10 years out. Be specific with numbers, dates, and goals, where possible. Take inspiration from phrases and images cut from magazines or other publications. If there’s a phrase or quote that resonates but isn’t readily in print, use your creativity in spelling it out (or allow your computer to help when you get home). Once your board has come together, get a good night’s rest and review your vision board again in the morning. (TIP: update your board as necessary and celebrate when you accomplish things ahead of plan!)

Day Two:

Energize your body and your brain first thing with a workout, a walk, or a good yoga session.
Over breakfast and through the morning, focus on what a successful year ahead will look like for you. What are your fitness goals? What are your professional goals? Financial goals? I personally like to set the main areas of our 1 Year Plan to mind, body, soul, and professional goals. Be sure to add in those living space project priorities from your earlier walk-through as part of the annual plan.
Next, begin filling in your plan, looking for alignment, core themes, and milestones you’ll want to hit in order to reach your annual and vision board goals.

Next Steps:

Enjoy the remainder of your time in retreat, manifesting your future, and living your best life. You may wish to end the retreat or spend more time manifesting, planning, relaxing and resetting
Spend time writing cards to each person that you spoke about on day 1 as being grateful for - LET THEM KNOW! Or make it your first priority once you are home to get those notes done. Launching into your year of greatness by sharing gratitude with those who inspire, motivate, and hold you up is a phenomenal way to start. These people are your rocks and will certainly appreciate the gesture of gratitude.
Set with your vision board and 1 Year goals, find either your partner or a friend to hold you accountable.
You may choose to hang your vision board and goal sheet in a conspicuous place like your kitchen where you see it daily (think of all that time spent washing dishes while being reminded of your goals and dreams).
State your affirmations daily and out loud. Begin speaking them into existence.
For the best success, schedule a monthly dinner date night with your partner, or your team of one, to review the past month’s success and continue to look ahead to plan the month ahead. Your thoughts and conversation should evaluate what went well, where adjustments need to be made, and focus on the numbers. Celebrate your wins as you go!

THE NEXT RETREAT

As you head off a year from now for your next annual planning retreat (perhaps to a farther-flung destination this time?) begin with a review of the past year’s vision board (ok to bring a photo of it and not the whole board). Take stock of any new or yet-to-be-completed house projects. The retreat can include an agenda similar to the last one, focusing on the next year and again looking 5-10 years into the future.

Please know that what works for one couple or one person may not be right for you, and just means that you have to use your intuition and focus on YOUR journey. Do not get trapped in the comparison game.

If you are seeking a deeper dive or personalized guidance, you can find a wide range of resources from books to conferences, personal coaches, and financial planners. I personally have years of experience doing this and leading retreats for women and couples who want to do this together, so please reach out to me if you need support (JamieMunoz@CatalystIntegrators.com)! I am here to help you live your ideal life!