Team members get conflicting instructions from their line managers. What should happen?
Matrix authority conflictMake the competing commitments visible and ask the appropriate managers to agree priorities. Staff should not be left to resolve organizational conflicts privately through overtime.
What to do now
- List the conflicting assignments
- Estimate the actual available capacity
- Bring accountable managers together
- Record the agreed allocation and escalation route
When to escalate
Escalate when
Managers cannot agree and committed outcomes are threatened.
Who decides
The team lead and appropriate line manager
Example
A shared analyst receives one agreed weekly allocation across project and operational work.
Mistake to avoid
Telling the employee to satisfy both managers somehow.
Prevent a repeat
Review whether working agreements improve delivery and raise people concerns through the appropriate channels.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Tasks
- Resources
- Documents
Make agreed responsibilities and follow-up tasks visible while keeping sensitive people matters in the authorized confidential process. See the platform
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