Book: Rocket Fuel
Discover the vital relationship that will take your company from “What’s next?” to “We have liftoff!”
Visionaries have groundbreaking ideas. Integrators make those ideas a reality. This explosive combination is the key to getting everything you want out of your business. It worked for Disney. It worked for McDonald’s. It worked for Ford. It can work for you.
From the author of the bestselling Traction, Rocket Fuel details the integral roles of the Visionary and Integrator and explains how an effective relationship between the two can help your business thrive. Offering advice to help Visionary-minded and Integrator-minded individuals find one another, Rocket Fuel also features assessments so you’re able to determine whether you’re a Visionary or an Integrator.
Without an Integrator, a Visionary is far less likely to succeed long-term ,and realize the company’s ultimate goals—likewise, with no Visionary, an Integrator can’t rise to his or her full potential. When these two people come together to share their natural talents and innate skill sets, it’s like rocket fuel—they have the power to reach new heights for virtually any company or organization.
Rating (1-10) –
Book Review –
Notes:
Part 1 – The Context
Chapter 1 – The Visionary
A visionary is the person steering the ship but shouldn’t be running the day to day. They see the big picture and keeps the organization moving towards bigger and better things.
Chapter 2 – The Integrator
The integrator or more commonly understood as the COO is the one that runs the day to day operations. They are the ones that bring the Visionary’s dream into a reality.
Chapter 3 – The Relationship
The Visionary and the Integrator are essential to growing a business. Most businesses need a Visionary and an Integrator. They need to be able to work together well. The Visionary needs to let go of control and let the Integrator run the operations.
Part 2: The How-To’s
Chapter 4 – The Accountability Chart
The Visionary is on the top. The Integrator reports directly to the Visionary and all the other departments’ report to the Integrator.
Chapter 5 – The 5 Rules
- Stay on the Same Page
- Always keep on the same page as the Integrator. It’s like a relationship that you have to build and maintain.
- No End Runs
- Don’t let employees pass the Integrator to try to get another answer from you.
- As a Visionary you can listen but ultimately the Integrator should be the one that makes the decision as long as the Visionary and the Integrator are on the same page.
- The Integrator is the Tie Breaker
- Decisions should fall on the Reporting director in each business segment. Consensus won’t work. If a decision needs to be made and 8 out of 10 agree on a solution the Integrator makes the final call.
- You Are an Employee When Working “in” the Business
- If you are a Visionary/Founder and you are in charge of a certain department, you don’t get to pull the owner card. You operate as if you were an employee.
- Maintain Mutual Respect
- Respect is of utmost importance. If you don’t respect each other the relationship will fall apart.
Chapter 6 – Finding Each Other
The Integrator can be found in your current organization, outside your organization, through a mutual connection or even finding an executive search firm to find one for you.
Chapter 7 – Patience
Be patient with the process. Finding the right Integrator can be challenging but if you’re willing to put in the work, it’ll pay dividends with money and time. If it doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up. Learn from it and get better.