Why EOS as a basis for building a "smooth running engine"?

How I realised I am a naturally good "Integrator" in EOS terminology 

IS Online Ltd is led by Dave Abraham.  My story below shows how I ended up using EOS and similar business principles to run businesses.   And how did I realised I am an "Integrator"?

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I'll start with the end: I read a book called "Rocket Fuel" which describes the different roles and personality types of the "Visionary" and "Integrator" in any business.  It reads as a standalone book, but it also adds more detail and context of what it the terms mean in EOS, in more detail than the book Traction has space to describe. 

As I read it, it was immediately clear "I'm a natural Integrator" - I have performed that role (though not using the term) as Managing Director at Cambridge Networks since 2021.  I had previously performed a similar role as CEO at Signify from 2006 - 2013, prior to successfully selling Signify. 

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My journey to that conclusion: I'd read "Traction", "What the heck is EOS?" and "How to be a great boss". All of which are great books, which I highly recommend reading which make up the Traction Library. I was leading the management team at Cambridge Networks, where we selected and implemented EOS.    

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Reading Rocket Fuel, I realised that prior to Cambridge Networks, I have also been extremely fortunate over my career.  I have been lucky enough to have worked with several great Visionaries over the years - John Stewart at Signify, Simon Quarendon at Words Group, John Stewart at ElectricMail, as well as the leading edge teams at Eurotunnel and Iceland Foods in the late 90s. 

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Reading Rocket Fuel, it was clear that for each Visionary I'd worked with, I'd been doing "integration".  In my early days, I wasn't "the" Integrator - I was helping the MD, operations director, Marketing director, IT director, or some other "integrator" type person to implement the company vision., with a combination of technology and business skills.

That had culminated in my most recent roles with me being the Integrator (as well as shareholder), working with a great Visionary.

For those of you that have read Rocket Fuel - you will know that being the Integrator comes with some frustrations, such as accepting that you are the "number 2" to the visionary, and that the visionary will probably get most of the adulation.  At the time, it was frustrating.

Now I realise that suits me well , now I understand the 2 roles - I'd rather be quietly in the background making sure the engine runs smoothly.  And help the visionary be a great visionary. 

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Before committing to EOS, I have also re-read "Rockefeller habits" by Verne Harnish and other books, "Emyth Revisted" by Michael E Gerber,  "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, and of course "Start with why" by Simon Sinek.  These confirmed that the EOS concepts are not new or one man's ideas, but are based upon many people's work and established practices.  But just because it's based upon those, does not mean EOS shouldn't be used. 

It confirmed that:

EOS gives me, and all the teams I work with, a consistent language and structure to help each business, without every person having to read all those business books! 

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EOS therefore makes it quicker and easier to communicate, and implement a successful business strategy, to build a business that is a smooth running engine.  And to achieve success, with "success" meaning different things to each business owner.