Too much control in the matrix organization – Matrix Cartoon
Our research shows a drift towards increasing central control in many matrix organizations and also that matrix organizations require decentralized balance of control and empowerment to function.
There are many factors that subtly undermine trust and empowerment in matrix organizations – distance, cultures, time-zones, communicating through technology, functional differences, and organizational silos can all create or magnify misunderstanding and some managers respond by getting more involved and tightening control.
If your organization feels like the one in the cartoon then you need to put in place a systematic process to increase empowerment and enable local decision making. If you don’t then eventually all decisions will be escalated to the centre – causing delay, cost and dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, it is hard to empower people you don’t know can do the job or don’t really trust. That’s’ why it needs to be a systematic, managed process and not just an exhortation to increase empowerment again.
Find put more about how to create a healthy balance between control and empowerment.
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