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Integrators wanted Those who can connect ideas and people are becoming indispensable, writes Camelia Ram
Historically, the expert would seek to prove that her choice was best under all circumstances. Today, it is common to find experts who help decision-makers understand the circumstances in which choices work best – and where they are most vulnerable. Consequently, experts are being drawn outside their area of deep expertise to learn more about the changing conditions in which their proposed solutions must sit. Integrators can facilitate and accelerate such learning by educating experts and their stakeholders on what they don’t know that they don’t know. They help foster growth based on a clear understanding of what is needed to drive value. They can simultaneously operate at strategic Dialogue Q1 2019
levels to be a credible business partner, and at operational levels to deliver results while paying attention to detail. Some roles naturally lend themselves as integrators. Take, for example, the ecosystem of people management, where the objective is to match organizational need with the supply of talent to have people in the right place at the right time. A cocktail of individual capability, personal motivation and organizational fit is required. The complexity of this mix means that no one knows in advance whether a hire will materialize or not. The HR business partner, the chief of staff and the recruiting agent are well-placed to connect ideas and people, creating the space for compelling