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 […]

[Read more →]

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, […]

[Read more →]

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 […]

[Read more →]

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 […]

[Read more →]

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 […]

[Read more →]

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

[Read more →]

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 […]

[Read more →]

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 […]

[Read more →]

As we have seen in previous posts on managing multiple bosses, one of the most fundamental skills of matrix management is the ability to manage “upwards” to reconcile and trade off between competing priorities from different matrix managers.
The ability to challenge people who are hierarchically more senior than you differs between cultures and this can cause […]

[Read more →]

A matrix organization structure solves nothing. It is just a reflection of internal and external complexity. The matrix structure acknowledges that there are multiple and sometimes competing priorities and  shows them in the reporting structure of the organization.
Whether that structure succeeds or fails is dependent on matrix management - how well people work together in […]

[Read more →]