Glossary

A glossary of common terms and definitions for our areas of expertise – we hope you find them useful.

What is a Hybrid Team

A Hybrid Team includes team members with a variety of working modes including office based full or part time and/or working remotely or from home for part or all of the time.
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What is Solid Line Reporting

These reporting lines can take the form of either a solid line or a dotted line reporting relationship. The weight of the line is meant to represent the level of power and influence of the different managers.
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What is a Networked Organization

The networked organization is one that is connected together by informal networks and the demands of the task, rather than a formal organizational structure. The network organization prioritizes its “soft structure” of cross-functional relationships, networks, teams, groups and communities rather than reporting lines.
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What is a Matrix Organization

A matrix organization structure is usually defined as one where there are multiple reporting lines – that is, people have more than one formal boss. This may incorporate solid lines (direct strong reporting) and dotted lines (a weaker reporting relationship, but still indicating some formal level of ‘right’ to the individual’s time) or it may mean multiple solid lines to more than one boss.
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What are Matrix Teams

Matrix teams cut across the traditional silos of function and geography. Sometimes known as cross-functional teams they are now common with many people working on multiple teams at the same time
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What is Global Leadership

Global leadership refers to leading people who are based in multiple regions of the world. Global leaders have to engage very diverse groups of stakeholders and colleagues to get things done. They lead people across distance, cultures, time zones and in complex organizational structures such as a matrix or networked organization structure.
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What is dotted line reporting in a matrix organization

Dotted line reporting is used in a matrix organization to distinguish a weaker reporting relationship then solid line reporting.
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