Matrix Leadership Intelligence™

The Matrix Leadership Intelligence™ supplement has been designed to complement The Matrix LEAD Influencer (BTI)™. It provides Facilitators with an additional learning resource that enables them to help leaders develop a multi-dimensional approach towards leading others in dynamic, matrix type structures.

Because most managers typically learn their leadership behaviours and practices from working in hierarchical organisations, they often unknowingly use ‘hierarchical’ mindsets and practices when leading others. To use an aviation metaphor, the difference between leadership in hierarchical structures (i.e. primarily functional) compared to that found in matrix structures (i.e. primarily cross-functional, cross-process), would be the equivalent of asking a glider pilot to land a 747 jet airliner on approach, and expect them to do so successfully ! While the same basic laws of aerodynamics, piloting and navigation apply for the most part. The fundamental beliefs, behaviours, knowledge and skills needed to fly the two fundamentally different types of aircraft at their maximum operational efficiency, would be very different in actual practice.

In much the same way many leadership approaches learnt in hierarchical organisations do not typically lend themselves to leading people in flexible, dynamic socially-networked organisations. For example in matrix structures it is not unusual for leaders to have roles that give them ‘positional authority’ but not the ‘operational responsibility’, for the delivery of a goal (or project, process, or initiative); while others may have operational responsibility but not the positional authority to deliver the same goal.

Similarly there are often challenging multiple reporting inter-dependencies to be negotiated in matrix structures, that simply do not exist in many hierarchical organisations. For example a leader may have a ‘functional’ specialism line manager (to who they report for appraisals, career decisions, etc); and typically one or more Matrix (or Project, Process, etc) type managers (to who they are operationally accountable for the delivery of Goals, Projects, Initiatives and Processes). In addition, the same leader could also belong to (or lead) several other matrix, project or process teams, with similar inter-dependent reporting relationships.

Matrix Leadership Intelligence™ enables Facilitators to help leaders challenge the historically dominant 20th century, post industrial models of leadership; and instead to consider a 21st century collaborative leadership approach which is better suited to 'Generational' leadership in the integrated and dynamic organisational structures that leaders have to navigate today.

Matrix Leadership Intelligence™ uses the Matrix P4 © model (shown in the diagram opposite),
to help leaders understand the four critical dimensions of effective leadership practice in matrix
structures. And, together with several practical tools and techniques, Facilitators can support
leaders on their journey from being 'hierarchical' to 'multi-dimensional' leaders.

Facilitator information and PowerPoint slides for the Matrix Leadership Intelligence™
supplement is included as a part of LEAD Influencer Facilitator Certification workshop.

For further information on Matrix Leadership Intelligence™ contact us today.

If you would like to see how the Matrix Leadership Intelligence™ is used as the basis of a
Matrix Leadership Workshop...

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