What Is an EOS® Integrator?
In an organization running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), the Integrator™ is the essential second-in-command. They work side-by-side with the Visionary—the big-picture thinker who drives innovation and direction, to turn vision into reality through focused execution.
Many Visionaries and business owners exploring the Entrepreneurial Operating System® find these two critical roles hard to distinguish yet understanding the distinction is essential to scaling your business the right way.
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences, clarify their unique responsibilities, and help you decide who you need (and when) on your EOS journey.
What Is an EOS® Integrator and What Do They Do?
An EOS® Integrator is the second-in-command in a company operating on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS). Working side-by-side with the Visionary (often the founder or CEO), the Integrator turns big-picture ideas into actionable strategies, driving daily operations and aligning the leadership team around a common goal.
Because of their critical role, an EOS® Integrator:
- Holds the leadership team accountable for performance and execution,
- Solves cross-functional issues and keeps the team aligned,
- And acts as the final decision-maker when key leaders disagree—often referred to as holding the “tiebreaker vote.”
The EOS® Integrator is the glue that holds the business together, translating vision into traction and creating the focus and discipline needed to scale successfully.
Similar Roles and Titles That Help Define an EOS® Integrator™
If you’re wondering what an EOS® Integrator™ is, it may help to compare the role to more familiar leadership titles. An EOS® Integrator™ is often considered the “right hand” or second-in-command in a small to mid-sized business operating on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS).
While the title “Integrator” is unique to EOS, the role shares many responsibilities with common executive leadership positions, such as:
- President
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- General Manager
- Director of Operations
- Second-in-Command (2iC)
These roles typically involve oversight of operations, team accountability, and execution of strategic plans—just like the Integrator.
What Makes the EOS® Integrator™ Role Unique?
Unlike traditional leadership roles, the EOS Integrator is specifically accountable for implementing and sustaining the EOS framework. This includes:
- Driving the Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO™) forward,
- Managing EOS Scorecards to track key performance metrics,
- Leading structured Level 10 Meetings™ to ensure consistent team alignment,
- And maintaining EOS tools and cadences that create organizational clarity and accountability.
While an EOS® Integrator™ may share a title with roles like COO or President, their focus on EOS tools and discipline around execution is what truly defines the position.
The EOS® Leadership Roles: Visionary and Integrator™
One of the foundational principles of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) is “right people in the right seats.” This means aligning team members with roles that fit their strengths, passions, and working styles. At the heart of every company running on EOS are two essential leadership roles that work in tandem to drive the business forward: the Visionary and the Integrator™.
Though different in function, these roles are equally vital to a company’s growth, traction, and long-term success. Below, we break down what makes each role unique—and how their partnership fuels momentum in EOS-powered organizations.
The Visionary: The “Why” Behind the Business
The Visionary is typically the founder or CEO, the big-picture thinker and idea generator. Visionaries thrive on creativity, innovation, and inspiration. They are focused on future possibilities, high-level strategy, and building strong relationships both inside and outside the organization.
Key traits of an EOS Visionary:
- Sets the long-term vision and strategic direction
- Inspires and motivates the team
- Identifies major trends and new opportunities
- Champions company culture
- Often has multiple ideas (not all of which are actionable)
Visionaries are the dreamers and disruptors. They answer the question, “Where are we going?” and ensure the organization has a compelling purpose to rally behind.
The Integrator: Turning Vision Into Execution
The Integrator is the execution-focused leader who brings clarity, structure, and alignment to the organization. This role is responsible for turning the Visionary’s ideas into reality by managing operations, driving accountability, and keeping teams on track.
Key responsibilities of an EOS Integrator:
- Executes the Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO™)
- Oversees day-to-day operations
- Leads the Leadership Team and ensures alignment
- Runs effective Level 10 Meetings™
- Solves cross-functional issues and removes obstacles
- Holds the organization accountable to goals and metrics
Whether serving full-time or as a Fractional Integrator, this role is often compared to a Chief Operating Officer (COO) but with a clear focus on sustaining EOS tools, cadences, and systems. The Integrator answers the question, “How will we get there?”
Visionary + Integrator = EOS® Leadership Powerhouse
When these two roles are working in harmony, a business gains both inspiration and execution, vision and traction. The Visionary dreams it, and the Integrator makes it happen. This unique pairing allows the leadership team to scale efficiently while maintaining a clear focus on long-term success.
What Are the Responsibilities of an EOS® Integrator?
The EOS® Integrator plays an important role in companies running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS). This leader is responsible for executing the company’s vision, aligning teams, and maintaining operational excellence across the entire organization.
Often viewed as the final decision-maker across departments—including Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Administration—the Integrator ensures all parts of the business are working together cohesively. The name “Integrator” reflects their unique ability to unify people, processes, and priorities under one strategic direction.
Key Responsibilities of an EOS Integrator
The EOS Integrator is not just an operations leader, they are the backbone of EOS implementation in a company. Their responsibilities include:
- Train the tools in the EOS® Toolbox
- Align key processes across all departments
- Resolve problems and conflicts with well-thought-out solutions
- Ask the tough questions
- Ensure the organization lives and breathes its Core Values
- Hold the team accountable to their Rocks
- Promote teamwork and open and honest communication that supports company culture
As one of the most important positions in EOS®, the Integrator™ directly reports to the Visionary and has the authority necessary to execute the Visionary’s big-picture goals and dreams.
In essence, the Integrator creates structure, rhythm, and alignment so the Visionary can focus on growth, innovation, and external relationships.
Authority and Relationship to the Visionary
The Integrator directly reports to the Visionary and acts as their execution partner. With the authority to make key decisions and resolve disputes, the Integrator serves as the central hub that drives traction and ensures that the company’s strategic plan becomes reality.
This relationship is essential: the Visionary brings the big ideas, and the Integrator brings them to life with discipline, structure, and relentless follow-through.
What Are the Key Traits of a Successful EOS® Integrator?
Vision Spark has successfully placed over 150 EOS® Integrators™. And using our science-based (VisionSpark Assessment) approach to identify the right candidates, we’ve identified six non-negotiable traits of a successful Integrator™:
- Strategic thinker. An EOS® Integrator™ has the mental acuity to learn, anticipate, and solve problems quickly. They understand business terms and can retain and recall information that aids in decision-making. They also question the status quo and analyze facts deeply.
- Strong communicator. An EOS® Integrator™ has a broad vocabulary, understands their own emotions to empathize and connect with others, yet is assertive with making decisions and controlling situations.
- Process-oriented. An EOS® Integrator™ is organized, flexible, and has a strong perception of numbers and symbols that is crucial in understanding and managing business procedures. They also have a mechanical interest in knowing how processes, technologies, and methodologies work.
- People-oriented. An EOS® Integrator™ has the assertiveness and mental toughness to withstand criticism while showing empathy and guiding people and teams in the right direction.
- Organized. An EOS® Integrator™ excels at planning and organizing. They adapt well to change and are highly motivated to drive organizational growth.
- Coach. An EOS® Integrator™ encourages every employee to work toward maximum potential. Like the coach of a sports team, they motivate the team, communicate well, and are flexible enough to adapt their coaching styles to different individuals and situations.
Go deeper and learn more about Integrator’s attributes.
What Is the Business Impact of a High-Performing EOS® Integrator?
Most Visionaries wear multiple hats before they decide it’s time to hire an EOS® Integrator™ to help them with the day-to-day responsibilities of the business. It’s sometimes a difficult hire for a Visionary to make, because they’ve invested so much of themselves in the business. It can be hard to fight that internal struggle and let go of the vine. As it relates to supporting the visionary, the Integrator puts the right people get into the right seats. Including the visionary! They ensure that the Visionary is focused on the things they do best: Managed the big relationships, Set the strategic vision, and get out of the way.
But Visionaries need Integrators™. When an EOS® Integrator™ is onboarded, it can have the following benefits:
- The Visionary can focus on what they are best at
- The business grows because there is someone solely responsible for implementing the vision
- Communication is increased
- Ideas are implemented faster
- Teams are held accountable
Visionaries who successfully install a terrific EOS Integrator realize they have:
- Freedom to pursue other passions inside the business and outside of it.
- The ability to rest easy knowing that the business is in good hands and they aren’t on call for every business emergency.
- Confidence to let go knowing that their team, their business, income, and reputation are being taken care of
Some companies begin by hiring a fractional Integrator™, eventually making that person a full-time employee.
Over the last decade, VisionSpark has built a proven methodology to hire and onboard an EOS® Integrator™. As a matter of fact, we used own process for ourselves in July of 2021 when Alec Broadfoot, our Visionary, hired his very first Integrator™, John Vidosh. Alec even talked about it during a breakout session at the 2022 EOS® Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Subsequently, Alec speaks from a place of confidence when he shares that a good EOS® Integrator™ helps to maintain your growth and build momentum toward future growth. Hiring John gave Alec more time to focus on his unique ability and experience better business performance.
What Happens When Visionaries Hire the Right EOS® Integrator?
For many Visionaries, hiring an EOS® Integrator™ is a game-changing decision. It’s not just about getting operational support, it’s about reclaiming time, mental bandwidth, and freedom to lead in the way only they can.
Visionaries who successfully install the right Integrator experience a powerful shift in both their role and the trajectory of the business.
An EOS® Implementer™ is a:
- Consultant and coach – not an employee.
- Certified expert.
- They own their own EOS franchise dedicated to implementing the EOS framework for businesses.
- Their purpose is to help a team learn and understand the frameworks of EOS®
Therefore, you hire an EOS implementer to facilitate the implementation of EOS into your organization. They will help you identify if there is an Integrator in your organization today or if your company would be served by having one.
VisionSpark’s Proven Method for Hiring EOS® Integrators
At VisionSpark, we’ve developed a battle-tested methodology for sourcing, assessing, and onboarding EOS Integrators. Over the past decade, we’ve helped over 150 companies find their ideal match, using our proprietary Talent Impact Profile™ Assessment and EOS-aligned hiring process.
And we practice what we preach.
In July 2021, our own Visionary, Alec Broadfoot, used the VisionSpark method to hire his first Integrator, John Vidosh. Alec shared his experience during a breakout session at the 2022 EOS® Conference in Orlando, where he detailed the impact John had on the business and on his own role as Visionary.
The Result? More Growth, Less Chaos
Hiring the right EOS Integrator gave Alec the space to double down on what he does best—leading VisionSpark forward. With John managing operations, Alec saw:
- More business stability
- A smoother-running leadership team
- Improved traction and company culture
- Renewed momentum toward future growth
EOS® Implementer™ vs. EOS® Integrator: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between an EOS® Implementer™ and an EOS® Integrator™ is key for any business adopting the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS). While the two roles support the EOS journey, they serve very different functions.
An EOS Implementer™ is an external consultant or coach who is certified to teach and guide leadership teams through the EOS model. Their primary goal is to facilitate the implementation of EOS, including training the team on tools like the Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO™), Accountability Chart, Scorecards, and more.
In contrast, an EOS Integrator™ is an internal executive often with the title of President, COO, or Chief of Staff—who works within the company. Their main responsibility is to execute the Visionary’s strategic direction and manage the daily operations of the business.
While the EOS Implementer works with your team temporarily, typically under a consulting contract or retainer, the Integrator is a long-term team member compensated as a full-time employee or executive.
The Implementer facilitates sessions, coaches the leadership team, and ensures a proper understanding of EOS tools and practices. Meanwhile, the Integrator leads cross-functional teams, drives accountability, manages growth initiatives, and ensures that all departments are aligned and functioning smoothly.
Why the Visionary + Integrator Relationship Matters
In every business running on EOS, the relationship between the Visionary and the Integrator is foundational to success. The Visionary is the big-picture thinker—bringing energy, creativity, and strategic ideas to the table. The Integrator brings structure, discipline, and execution to ensure those ideas come to life.
Together, they form a powerful leadership duo. But not every organization naturally has an Integrator in place. That’s why EOS Implementers often help Visionaries recognize when they need one and that’s where VisionSpark comes in.
So, What Really is at EOS®?
Gino Wickman, EOS Worldwide founder, defines the Integrator as the following:
“In EOS® companies, the Integrator is a critical executive-level role that complements the organization’s Visionary. Often taking the title of President, COO, General Manager, or Chief of Staff, the Integrator is ‘the tie-breaker for the Leadership team, the glue for the organization…[the one who] executes the business plan, holds the Leadership Team accountable, is the steady force in the organization…[and] who is the filter for all of the Visionary’s ideas…’”
The relationship between a Visionary and an Integrator is vitally important. The Integrator has to have the delicate balance of executing the Visionary’s goals, while also being a strategic thinker, a strong manager, and aligning with your company’s culture and core values.
Hire Your EOS® Integrator
If you’re looking to hire an Integrator learn more about our Integrator Search or want to talk through if you are ready, VisionSpark can help. We’ve been hiring EOS® Integrators™ for our clients with a 95% success rate, so we know how to do it well.
Let us help you find the Right People for the Right Seat and Hire with Confidence™.
Contact VisionSpark today to learn more about our EOS® Integrator Search process—and take the first step toward building the leadership team your company needs to grow with clarity and confidence.
