Why Most Integrations Drift — and How to Take Control Early (intro)

After the deal closes, press releases go out, leaders give speeches, and welcome kits are handed around. But then, almost quietly, things begin to stall. The energy dips. Teams wait for direction that doesn’t come. Decisions are delayed. Momentum fades before anyone realizes it’s gone.

This is the moment when deal synergy should begin, but often doesn’t.

Week One: Visibility over vision. At this stage, no one expects a perfect plan. But they do expect signs of life. If leaders vanish after Day One, uncertainty fills the gap.

Week Two: Structure the ambiguity. Without even a temporary framework, teams start making their own calls. Reporting lines shift. Priorities splinter. Decisions drift apart. You don’t need final answers, just shared guardrails to keep things from slipping too far off course.

Week Three: Assign ownership, or politics will. Power doesn’t stay idle. If leadership doesn’t define accountability, others will step in. Influence gathers in corners, and top talent begins to reassess their future.

Integration doesn’t break overnight.It unravels slowly, and subtly. [Click to read the full story on Substack]