Imagine your life as a well-run company. Every part of it—your career, relationships, personal projects—requires some combination of strategy, execution, and organization to thrive. Whether you realize it or not, each day you operate in one of three core functions: Ideator, Operator, or Administrator. These roles are not just business terms; they’re universal to how we approach the world, how we accomplish tasks, and how we navigate change.
If you’re considering a major transition—whether it’s a career change, a lifestyle shift, or a personal project—the key to moving forward lies in understanding which of these functions drives you. When you know where your natural energy lies, you can make better decisions, align your actions with your strengths, and create a smoother, more intentional path toward your next chapter.
So, what is this all about? Let’s dive into how the three core functions—Ideator, Operator, and Administrator—show up in everyday life and why recognizing your dominant function is crucial during transitions.
The Three Core Functions: What Are They?
- Ideators: The Creators and Visionaries
Think of an Ideator as the visionary in the room. They’re the ones brainstorming new ideas, seeing possibilities, and challenging the status quo. Ideators are energized by what could be—they thrive on solving problems, generating creative solutions, and pushing the envelope.
In business, the classic example of an Ideator would be someone like Steve Jobs. Jobs wasn’t an engineer, but he was the visionary behind Apple’s most revolutionary products. He imagined possibilities and dreamed up ideas that others could barely comprehend at the time. His strength was seeing what didn’t exist yet and finding ways to make it a reality.
- Operators: The Doers and Executors
While Ideators are dreaming up big ideas, Operators are the ones making those ideas happen. They are the action-takers, project managers, and problem solvers. Operators thrive on execution—they ensure that tasks are completed, goals are met, and plans are turned into reality.
Consider Walt Disney’s brother, Roy O. Disney, a classic Operator. While Walt was busy dreaming up fantastical worlds, it was Roy who turned those visions into operational businesses. Without Roy managing the finances, securing deals, and ensuring that Disneyland actually got built, Walt’s dreams would have remained on the drawing board. Roy took the creative energy and made it tangible.
- Administrators: The Organizers and Coordinators
Administrators bring structure to the chaos. They’re the ones who ensure that everything is organized, timelines are set, and everyone knows what needs to happen next. Administrators thrive on creating order, maintaining systems, and holding teams accountable.
In business, we can look at companies like Toyota, where the concept of “lean manufacturing” was developed. Lean manufacturing is all about efficiency, minimizing waste, and keeping processes streamlined. The entire Toyota Production System was driven by an Administrator’s mindset—ensuring that the system worked smoothly and that each part of the operation was running like a well-oiled machine.
How These Functions Show Up in Everyday Life
While these functions are foundational in the business world, they are also essential to our daily lives. Whether you’re running a household, managing a project, or navigating personal transitions, you’re constantly using some combination of these functions.
- Ideators in Life: You’re the person who comes up with exciting weekend plans, new hobbies to explore, or the next big family trip. You see opportunities everywhere and can’t help but think of “what’s next.”
- Operators in Life: You’re the one who makes sure those weekend plans actually happen. You’re booking tickets, checking off the to-do list, and ensuring everything gets done on time.
- Administrators in Life: You’re the person making sure all the details are organized. You’re creating itineraries, setting reminders, and keeping everyone on track.
The truth is, all of us use these functions in some way. But often, we’re more naturally inclined toward one over the others. And when we lean into what brings us energy, we start to excel and feel more aligned with our purpose.
Why You Need All Three to Thrive—Especially in Times of Transition
Think of these three functions as slices of a pie chart. A perfectly balanced person might be 33% Ideator, 33% Operator, and 33% Administrator. But let’s be honest—most of us are weighted more toward one function than the others. And that’s okay. The key is recognizing where your strengths lie and where you might need support.
In business, companies that thrive have a balance of all three functions. A startup that’s all ideas and no execution won’t get off the ground. A company that’s all about execution without creative vision will stagnate. And an organization with no structure will collapse under its own weight.
The same is true in life. During transitions—whether you’re changing careers, moving to a new city, or even just considering a new lifestyle—you need all three functions to succeed.
- The Ideator envisions the possibilities and sets the direction.
- The Operator takes action and moves the process forward.
- The Administrator organizes the journey, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
If you’re only operating as an Ideator during a big life change, you may find yourself stuck in “dreaming” mode, with no real steps taken. If you’re solely an Operator, you might be constantly doing but unsure of what direction you’re heading. If you’re purely an Administrator, you could be caught in planning mode, never taking action or considering new opportunities.
Real-Life Examples of Transition
Take, for example, a company transitioning from one product line to another. This is no different from an individual transitioning from one career to the next. If the company only has Ideators, they’ll come up with endless ideas but never launch the product. If they only have Operators, they might push out products, but they may not align with market needs. And without Administrators, they won’t be able to maintain order through the chaos of the transition.
Consider your own life as you think about your next transition. Whether you’re making a career shift, deciding to move to a new city, or adopting a new lifestyle, you need to recognize which function gives you energy and which ones you might need to strengthen or outsource.
If you’re an Ideator, you might thrive on brainstorming the possibilities of your next career move but struggle to put those ideas into action. If you’re an Operator, you may be great at taking the next step but find it challenging to see the bigger picture. And if you’re an Administrator, you might excel at organizing your plans but need help generating fresh ideas.
How to Start: Discover What Energizes You
This framework isn’t just a tool for understanding your strengths. It’s an entry point into making more intentional decisions about where you’re headed next. Are you someone who comes alive when ideating and creating new possibilities? Or do you feel most fulfilled when you’re checking tasks off your list and seeing things through?
Maybe you’re someone who thrives on organizing and keeping everything in sync.
The key is to understand where you naturally thrive, so you can lean into those strengths during times of transition. And just like a company needs all three functions to succeed, so do you. The more balanced you are, the smoother your transition will be.
Want to learn more about your core function? Take my Archetype Assessment to find out if you’re more of an Ideator, Operator, or Administrator, and gain clarity on how to navigate your next life transition with purpose and confidence.
