Out with the Old, in with the New

An Ask the Expert feature with Martin Training Associates

It is no longer enough for an organization to succeed by simply following the old management style of control and authority, but how can companies successfully apply a different approach in managing their organization? Cathy Cassidy explains more.

Not only is the pressure to produce results and global competition changing the organizational landscape – from silos and individually–based goals to cross-dimensional operations and shared goals; but the new generations of workers – Millenniums who thrive in team-based environments, and Gen Xer’s who crave independence are demanding a change. No longer can leaders and managers use outdated management systems based on old paradigms of authority and individual incentives. We must use a new management model that is designed to create alignment with organizational strategy and will enable leaders to effectively lead new generations of workers for the long term.

Like new generations of workers, this management model is next-generation too:  it is New Matrix Management (NMM) and it’s the 21st century management system organization’s need to execute multi-dimensionally (i.e. cross-functionally), multi-generationally and globally. First generation Matrix Management had the right goal in mind, but it was rooted in old ideas of authority-based management and individual optimization. These principles have been shown to not serve the whole organization and thus an updated approach is needed.

NMM integrates different managerial components (systems, practices and processes) so an organization’s structure and operations are optimized to execute strategy in any environment. From improving alignment of organizational goals to improved execution of work across functions and between dimensions, to enabling leaders and workers to engage in a powerful way that doesn’t require authority, NMM will successfully tap the talent of these new workers to help the organization better compete in the changing environment.

Often, I find that organizations are executing one or more of these components already, but are not integrating them properly or applying them enterprise-wide, and as a result, sub-optimize the entire system. Implementing NMM must be about improving the entire organizational system and since every organization is different, the starting point will change. Through the use of organizational assessment, leaders within the organization can determine the best place to start and once identified to the leadership teams, the changes in thinking and behaviour can begin.

Thus, leadership buy-in is key to effective implementation of NMM and we have seen organizations realize benefits from operating with this new paradigm almost immediately with commitment from every leadership level.

At the core of the matrix organization’s challenge is the reality that an individual’s ability to meet their individual goal is dependent on others outside their area of authority and the desire to implement a management system as comprehensive as NMM doesn’t make it doable at once, so here are some quick tips for using the NMM components to begin creating the buy-in you need to move forward in helping the organization execute strategy:

1. Ensure there is buy-in from the leadership at your (starting) level.
2. Begin utilizing and identifying ‘shared goals’ when working with your business partners and look for ways to measure those goals.
3. Bring the organization a collaborative method for project management that you standardize across the company.
4. Educate everyone on the definition of ‘Proactive Accountability’. Change the dialog from reactive finger pointing to proactive commitment and relationship building.

Today, organizations no longer resemble the silo-based environments of our predecessors and workers no longer come to organization accepting things ‘as is’. As new generations of workers become past generations, new expectations will always evolve. NMM is the management systems that when applied right positions the organization to achieve goals no matter what generation is joining your workforce.

Cathy Cassidy is CEO of Martin Training Associates, global expert in leading and working effectively in a matrix organization. Martin Training provides workshops, consulting and publications on New Matrix Management, including project & portfolio management, accountability, horizontal governance structures, and collaborative leadership skills.