A Novel Approach to Best Handle Multiple Managers

Many firms these days are asking their employees to diversify their responsibilities and report to more than one manager at a time.

There are certain advantages to this approach—employees are exposed to different working styles and different roles. But the disadvantages can easily bog your organization down if the managers are not aligned. If you are reporting to multiple managers, how can you succeed?

A novel approach recently recommended in leadership training programs is to collectively “interview” for the position with all your managers. This allows you to find out whether your  managers can work together collaboratively or whether you will be fought over in a way that can destroy your sincere efforts to do a good job and, ultimately, your career.

Ask each manager what they consider the top priorities for the next 90-days and how your success will be measured. If they agree, fine. If they don’t, ask how they will help you to resolve the differences. When they cooperate in redefining priorities, then you can feel as if the relationship will work for you all.