Five strategies for avoiding confusion and getting the support you need.
December 06, 2024
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There’s no question that managing up to multiple bosses isn’t easy. But the very things that make it challenging — navigating different communication styles, negotiating workloads, building consensus — are exactly the skills that will set you apart in your career if you play it right. Here are strategies for what to do when you’re caught between two leaders who don’t talk to each other: 1) Spot the sneaky signs of disconnection. 2) Get ahead of conflicts 3) Bring visibility to the decision-making process. 4) Be the bridge. 5) Make the costs clear.
Lev’s promotion to senior project manager came with an unexpected challenge. Although he continued to report to his functional boss, Gina, the head of product development, he now also answered to a project-specific boss, Navin, the leader of a critical new software implementation. This dual reporting structure was meant to speed up delivery, but Lev soon noticed that his two bosses hardly talked to each other. He often found himself relaying information between them, trying to align conflicting priorities and navigate different directives.
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New!
HBR Learning
Managing Your Boss Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Managing Your Boss. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Build a productive partnership with your most important stakeholder.
