Tel: 0844 394 8877

Boulden Management Consultants

Management Skills  >  Half-Day Courses

Managing in a Matrix

Masterclass in managing in a matrix

How to thrive in a Matrix Structure

Half Day Course

Course Brochure Download
Managing in a Matrix brochure
  • Learn how to create a ‘communication strategy’ with your various bosses
  • Understand the significance of ‘Empathy’
  • Master the art of the ‘informal temperature check’

Overview

In a Matrix Structure people have two, or more, upward reporting lines i.e. they’ve two bosses, who each represent a different business dimension; such as product, region, customer, capability, or function. Used well, Matrix Structures improve flexibility and organisational responsiveness. However, they are prone to problems of role ambiguity and poor quality of relationships. Learning to succeed in this environment requires commitment, focus and a lot of subtle influencing skills.

Learning objectives

By attending this highly interactive and practical half-day course you will:

  • Appreciate what it takes to succeed in a Matrix Structure
  • Discover a simple, yet elegant, influencing planning process
  • Gain ideas about how to deal with cultural barriers
  • Learn how storytelling can influence people
  • Grasp some methods available to build your network

Who should attend?

This course is for experienced managers who want to have a refresher or ‘master class’ on managing in a Matrix. It is also relevant for all those new to working in a Matrix organisation, and who want to grasp the key success factors for being effective in that environment.




Workshop

The golden rules of managing in a Matrix

Reviewing the theories, key concepts and principals involved in being successful in a Matrix culture.

  • How are Matrixes supposed to work?
  • Being aware of the pitfalls
  • Building a network
  • Developing a formal meeting schedule and agenda
  • Appreciating the value of a ‘temperature check’

Exercise: using the key concepts in your organisation

Self-awareness

Thinking about how your personal strengths and weaknesses affect your ability to thrive in a Matrix environment, and putting in place plans to mitigate any shortcomings you may have.

  • The core competencies for thriving in a Matrix
  • Self-assessment against those key requirements
  • Risk management process for handling your weaknesses

Pairs exercise: self-assessment

Empathy in a Matrix Structure

How putting yourself in the other person’s shoes, and acknowledging their concerns, can boost your profile and status in a Matrixed organisation.

  • Appreciating other people’s requirements
  • The ‘What’s in it for me?’ assessment
  • Six-Step Planning Process

Pairs exercise: planning process

Influencing skills

Understanding tools for engaging with people (who you have no authority over) in a compelling and convincing manner.

  • Behaviour Labelling
  • Three-Step Assertive Technique
  • Matching Values
  • Storytelling

Pairs exercise: using the influencing skills

Overcoming cultural barriers

Effective communication with people of different cultures can be very difficult and puzzling. However it is typically a key requirement for people who work in a Matrix. An awareness of these cultural differences and how to handle them is essential to those executives who are working across geographical boundaries and in different territories.

  • Factors that affect cultural perceptions
  • Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Techniques for working together

Exercise: case study in managing cultural differences

 


Feedback

Feedback is based upon peer review using Boulden Assessment Checklists. Completing the Assessment Checklists is not only valuable to the people involved in a given role play or case study, it also helps those completing them to gain an in-depth understanding of the building blocks that make up effective strategies for Managing in a Matrix.


Remote Training

All of our workshops can be delivered as Remote Training via e-learning modules plus Zoom based virtual workshops. Please see our Virtual Training page for more information.


Contact

Further information on this course is available by contacting
Boulden Management Consultants:
via our Contact form
Tel: 0844 394 8877