OVERCOMING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES IN HIGHLY MATRIXED ORGANIZATIONS

• Published in: Leader to leader 2025, Vol.2025 (115), p.19-25
• Main Author: Cooper, Andrew C.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accountability; collaboration; leadership; management; matrix; organizations; teamwork
• ISSN: 1087-8149; 1531-5355
• DOI: 10.1002/ltl.20860

The author is a seasoned global executive who was the first Millennial and Black executive to serve as General Counsel of UPS Airlines. His perspective on matrixed organizations “is shaped by my experiences moving from a front‐line worker to specialized individual contributor to middle manager and eventually to a senior leader within the system.” Challenges to these types of organizations include, in his words, blind spots, unclear accountability, potential for conflict and political maneuvering, and inefficiencies due to role confusion. He notes that “blind spots can arise when stakeholders perceive corporate policies and strategies differently because of their organizational positions.” Unclear accountability “often leads to confusion about responsibilities and outcomes.” Within challenge three, “reporting to multiple managers often leads to confusion over priorities and power struggles, as leaders assert influence to secure resources or recognition.” And in challenge four, “Employees often receive contradictory instructions from different managers, causing confusion, frustration, and project delays.” Overcoming these challenges can lead to, in his words: Improved Collaboration and Communication; Flexibility and Adaptability; Efficient Resource Utilization; Enhanced Employee Skill Development; Clearer Project Objectives; Increased Innovation; Better Customer Focus, Cost Efficiency; More Employee Engagement; and Stronger Organizational Capability.