Life in a Matrix

At Global Integration we have just completed a flash movie introduction to what we think are the main issues in matrix management - managing people in large, complex, virtual and matrixed organizations.
You can either

Press the play button underneath the image below - this will play the show within  this blog page
Or for a bigger full screen […]

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Regular readers will know that we think there is too much cooperation going on - and this is the subject of the first episode of our new free podcast series
 
A subset of this is the seemingly overwhelming urge to share information.
 

 
How often on our conference calls do we experience a moment like the one […]

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Right at the very top of organizations the matrix structure may have relatively little impact – after all everyone still works for you! This can lead to senior mangers underestimating the degree of difficulty their colleagues face in matrix management and in making the matrix organization structure work in practice.
The role of senior matrix leaders is, however, […]

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In our first post on the subject of power and influence in matrix management we looked at what sources of power were open to us, and what were the consequences and limitations of using different types of power (coercive, normative and presence power) in matrix management.
Other sources of power to influence without traditional authority in […]

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Take a look at Gill Corkindale’s second article on “Surviving the matrix” at the Harvard Business Publishing website. In it she addresses some of the key challenges of managing and working in a matrix organization structure.
She captures the breadth and depth of the challenges of matrix management. Worth a look.

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In previous posts we have mentioned that in a matrix organization structure it is common for very senior managers to underestimate the impact of the matrix on management. The reason for this is that, at the top of the matrix, relatively little changes -  everyone still works for you!
I found this interesting article about a […]

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I was reminded by the great comment left by my mum on the podcast below about an example that often comes up on our skills for the matrix training about a very common form of matrix management - the matrix of mum and dad.

In a family, if the kids come to Dad and ask […]

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Welcome to the first ever “Life in a Matrix” podcast on matrix management.

Kevan Hall, CEO of Global integration and author of the book Speed Lead talks about what is different about cooperation in large, matrix, virtual, global and other complex teams and organizations. 
 
He thinks that too much unnecessary cooperation, communication & control makes complex companies […]

 

 Episode 1 - Too much cooperation going on [9:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Influence without authority is a core skill in matrix management - see previous post. Understanding your ability to influence in a matrix organization structure depends in part on understanding what sources of power you have and how to apply them.

First we have to realise which of these types of power we have access to to […]

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I have a Google alert which tells me about any new mentions of the words “matrix management” or “matrix organization” and I have noticed a steady increase in the number of jobs asking for matrix management skills. Here is one that arrived last week
 “Experience managing, providing direction, and facilitating in a matrix management environment and […]

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