If you have ever been faced with the situation of having to report to more than one boss, then you can relate to the fact that it can be an extremely difficult and stressful task to master. In the world of "matrix" organizations, it's also becoming more prevalent.
If confronted with this situation, it is important to ensure that each of your bosses understands that you have multiple reporting responsibilities. Make certain that you understand and communicate effectively with each boss on a routine basis. It's always important to remember that most top managers have multiple reporting situations as well, so they will more than likely be very receptive to any concerns that you may have.
Here are a few tips that can help you tackle the job of reporting to more than one boss.
- Make sure your bosses are on the same page
Your bosses should be aware of what they each have going on and what they are passing off to you. Creating a project list is a great way to ensure that everyone involved is aware of each task that has been assigned and allows them to more equally distribute work to you. If find that you are being given conflicting deadlines on projects, then point that out to the bosses with whom you have the conflict and ask them for resolution.
- Prioritize your tasks
Coordinate with your bosses and have them rank their priorities. Figure out what your most important tasks are. To be more efficient and effective, make sure you receive a clear deadline for each project you take on.
- Get to know who you are working for
Understanding each supervisor's unique personality can make juggling work between them much easier. Taking the time to learn their management style will go a long way in making your life much easier. Pay attention to how they communicate. For instance, does he/she communicate with staff mainly through email and written communications or does he/she prefer face to face discussions?
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