1st Edition

The Self-Made Program Leader Taking Charge in Matrix Organizations

By Steve Tkalcevich Copyright 2016
    169 Pages 24 B/W Illustrations
    by Auerbach Publications

    Almost all leadership books assume that the leader has authority over their team members. The challenge of project management in a matrix-structured environment is that this is not always the case. A whole new plan of attack has to be executed for the project manager to deliver in an organization where they do not have formal authority. This book takes a unique approach to understanding the matrix structure and the tactics needed to succeed.

    The Self-Made Program Leader: Taking Charge in Matrix Organizations gives you insight into the minds of a group of 55 project, program, and portfolio managers who have worked in a matrix environment. It presents lessons learned from both their successes and failures. With this book, you will learn how to:

    • Prepare for your leadership role in a matrix environment and understand what you need to improve
    • Understand your organization’s structure and identify the hidden key players on your team
    • Use volunteer-based roles to gain influence in your organization
    • Build a coalition of key individuals, including decision makers, respected employees, and subject matter experts
    • Understand the perception of your leadership style by your followers and position yourself so others are more willing to cooperate and comply with your requests

    This goal of this book is to show a clear path for project, program, and portfolio managers to lead others within a matrix environment regardless of the industry or complexity. It shows you proven strategies and behaviors that you can use to successfully deliver your projects, programs, and portfolios.

    What Got You Here Will Not Work Now

    Preparing for Your Leadership Role

    Understanding Your Organizational Structure
    Far Reaching Area of Responsibility
    Upper Reporting Relationship with Management
    Horizontal Relationships
    Core Accountabilities
    Is Hierarchy the Problem?
    The Hierarchical Solution
    Horizontal or Flat Organizational Structures
    The Six Bases of Power
    Understanding Expectations
    Managerial Relationships
    Hidden Key Players in the Organization
    Power Struggles
    Gatekeepers
    DNA of the Organization
    Common Organizational Functions
    Causes of Communications Breakdown

    Gaining Influence through Volunteering
    How to Make a Meaningful Contribution
    Presentation Skills
    Delegating Tasks
    Being a Leader
    Being a Team Player
    Coaching Volunteers
    Post Volunteering

    Building Your Coalition
    Preparation and First Steps
    How to be a Politician
    The Three Resources in Politics
    Coalition Stalemates
    Levels of Participation within a Coalition
    Challenges Faced in Coalitions
    Typical Problems for Many Coalitions
    Attributes and Achievements of Successful Coalitions
    How to Effectively Host a Meeting with Coalition
    Mitigating Disagreements

    Gaining Influence
    Defining Your Goals and Priorities
    Becoming Strategic
    Ethics in Influencing Others
    Meeting Potential Allies
    Know Your Audience’s World
    Organizational Currencies
    The Modern Influencer
    Four Things Really Persuasive People Do
    Influence Styles
    Conclusion

    Leadership Perceptions for Those without Authority
    The Impact of Leadership Perception Style and Use of Power
    Analysis of 360° Feedback
    Perception vs. Reality
    Establishing Followership for Leaders without Authority
    Cross-Cultural Variations in Leadership Perception
    Leadership and Self-Perception
    Charisma Authority
    The Followers View of a Leader without Authority
    Conclusion

    Conclusion
    What Are the Next Steps?

    Biography

    Steve Tkalcevich earned an MBA specializing in leadership from the University of Liverpool. He holds the PMP® designation from the Project Management Institute (PMI), Master Certificate in Six Sigma from Villanova University, and has a diploma in Microcomputer Management from Humber College in Toronto, Canada.

    Tkalcevich has been working in the information technology sector since 2000. For the last several years he has been working for various web software development firms in project management roles. Prior to working in project management, Tkalcevich worked in information technology management for a leading wholesale firm in Canada. He was technical support supervisor for an Internet service provider and information technology consultant, which he started his career in.