Building Trust and Collaboration

How to effectively manage your matrix organization so your teams are more productive and profitable.

Today, more companies are adopting a matrix structure that rewards collaborators over “lone wolves.” In matrix organizations, employees often have complex reporting relationships rather than a single boss. Responsibilities need to be coordinated across departments or teams, rather than in a solely vertical arrangement. Historically, team member relationships may have resembled a simple grid, but today matrix structures can be more complex, looking more like a network.

Unfortunately, most matrix organizations suffer from uncertainty over who is in charge because there are multiple stakeholders, and employees often have dual reporting relationships. There can be conflicting interests and not enough action.

We believe that organizations can succeed within a matrix as long as they address these uncertainties by:

• Setting shared goals
• Clarifying roles and decision authority
• Ensuring transparency
• Providing people with the skills to build and sustain trust and collaboration

Programs for Building Trust and Collaboration in a Matrix Organization:

• Organizational Assessment to Work Better Within a Matrix 
• Influence With Impact
• Building and Sustaining Trust 
• Building and Sustaining Cooperation and Collaboration