Leading in the Global Matrix Proven Skills and Strategies to Succeed in a Collaborative World

Enter the matrix . . . and discover a whole new reality for your organization.

In today's global business world, many organizations are shifting away from decentralized, vertical structures—with silo functions such as finance, HR, or operations—to a "matrix" model of cross-functional teams that work across a number of business units. When executed successfully, a matrix structure helps companies thrive in the modern market by better leveraging internal resources, eliminating duplication, spurring innovation, and driving enterprise-wide strategy.

However, integrating matrix structures is often a challenge for organizations.

John Futterknecht and Marty Seldman, PhD, have worked with some of the world's largest companies—including PepsiCo, Disney, McDonald's, and Microsoft—to investigate and conquer the challenges that arise with these highly integrated organizational structures. Through coaching hundreds of leaders and training thousands for on success in a matrix environment, they have witnessed first-hand which skills and strategies are most critical for matrix success . . . and now they're sharing these breakthrough, field-tested tips with you.

Leading in the Global Matrix offers a real-world perspective of working in a matrix while using examples from the authors' actual coaching of business leaders. This book tackles the critical, "unspoken" dimensions that are often underestimated and unaddressed in the global business world, helping readers learn:

   • specific skills and insights that can help them be successful in the trenches
   • how to deal with day-to-day realities—which include complexity, pressure, and demand to deliver results with speed
   • what to do, why it's important, and how to accomplish each task


With concrete action plans, readers can implement what they learn in the book into their everyday work lives. Leading in the Global Matrix encapsulates field-tested advice to help individual professionals and their teams unlock their full potential, allowing the matrix to finally deliver on its promise.

John Futterknecht is an experienced Executive Coach and Leadership Development Trainer. Since 1998, John has successfully completed over 500 one-on-one coaching engagements and facilitated over 1,000 training programs across the globe. He has worked with leaders at some of the world's largest companies, including many Fortune 500. He has also worked with clients across 5 continents and in more than 20 countries, giving him an insightful global perspective. John's passion, energy, and expertise is in what he terms "Leading in the Matrix". He specializes in helping organizations and their leaders excel in complex, highly integrated Matrix structures. This includes leadership development areas such as Advanced Collaboration, Career Management, Strategic Thinking, Resilience and Agility, Influencing without Authority, Team Building, Building/Maintaining Trust, and People Leadership.

Dr. Marty Seldman is a corporate trainer, executive coach, and organizational psychologist. He began his career in 1986 as an executive coach. Since then he has trained tens of thousands of executives around the globe through his seminars and coached over 1,800 executives one-on-one. He has become the coach of choice for many Fortune 500 companies. Approximately half of the executives Marty has coached are women, people of color, or non-U.S. executives. In addition to Marty's corporate work, he is active in the non-profit sector as a coach and consultant. He also serves on the boards of four organizations that work in the areas of human rights and poverty alleviation.