Blog: Business Communications

Sometimes Technical Writers are responsible for working for more than one manager. How do you keep them happy and how do you maintain priorities?

The first answers that come to mind are:

• Communicate and coordinate.
• Know whom you are speaking to.
• Understand the company’s priority.
• Create your project plan and to do list; know your schedule.
• Always let others know what you have on your plate to avoid any conflicts.
• Make sure both parties understand each other. If need be, be the interpreter as you are one that knows them best.
• For global organizations, make sure all parties are using similar collaboration tools to avoid missed meetings
• Set up time for yourself too.
• If need be, hire extra help.

Having to report to more than one manager can easily happen when you work in an international company and the main headquarters is overseas. Your resident and overseas managers have simultaneously given you tasks to complete. Who and what is your priority? Usually, your resident manager is your priority and thus should be the one to set your priorities. Make sure the manager is aware of all conflicts. If the global manager insists that certain work gets completed ASAP, then communicate to both managers that they should meet to determine priorities. They should make the decision not you. This way, any negative repercussions will not be due to any decision you make.

You, as a Technical Writer/Mediator, can:

• Intervene and try to see both sides of the picture.
• Try to find out the reason behind each work request.
• Ask and see what is pushing each manager to make their request a priority.
• Try to get them to compromise.

Here are some examples and solutions:

• If you have to write a lengthy document, maybe you can do it in stages.
• Try to see if you can get each one to see what you think is a priority as you know both managers and the business.
• Maybe while waiting, e.g., for some equipment or information, you can work on the other task. This is a balancing act, but you can do it if you are organized and know where your information is.
• Try to get a 3-way communication started so that all the necessary parties are there. If you have built good relationships with both parties, then you will be able to get them to come to some sort of agreement.
• Ask them why are we doing this, how did they come to a decision about the project and it’s time table.
• Give them your project plan for each of the work requests and see if you can make both parties happy by working on both projects according to your schedule. If you decide to do this, make sure they understand your schedule and that you cannot deviate from it. If you are interrupted within any phase, then they will have to suffer the consequences of having the project delayed.

Understand what each manager wants and needs. If the communication between all parties are good, then there should not be a problem in coming to a compromise.

Have you faced this problem before? If so, please leave a comment.