How Do You Manage the Expectations of Different Executives?
Navigating the maze of executive demands is a daily challenge for office professionals. From an Office Manager's strategy to tailor communication to a Certified Paralegal's proactive planning for attorney deadlines, we've compiled six expert insights to guide you through managing and aligning the expectations of different executives.
- Tailor Communication to Executive Styles
- Balance Healthcare IT with Empathy
- Align on Business Priorities with EOS
- Negotiate Executive Expectations with Data
- Craft Compromises in Budget Conflicts
- Proactively Plan for Attorney Deadlines
Tailor Communication to Executive Styles
Managing the expectations of different executives requires a tailored approach that recognizes their unique priorities and communication styles. It's essential to establish clear, consistent communication channels and set realistic timelines and goals.
Regularly updating executives on progress and potential challenges helps build trust and transparency. Additionally, understanding each executive's key concerns and adapting your strategy accordingly ensures alignment with their vision and fosters a collaborative environment. Balancing these elements effectively can lead to more cohesive and productive executive relationships.
Balance Healthcare IT with Empathy
As a healthcare IT consultant, I often have to balance the needs of physicians, administrators, and patients. Recently, physicians were frustrated that our new electronic health record (EHR) system was disrupting their workflow. At the same time, administrators wanted to push ahead with implementation to gain the cost and efficiency benefits.
I met with physicians to better understand their concerns and see the system from their perspective. It became clear that the issues were largely due to insufficient training. I worked with administrators to develop an improved multi-phase training program focused on physicians' needs. We started with small-group sessions to address questions and provide hands-on support. Once physicians gained confidence, we were able to accelerate system adoption.
For executives, transparency and accountability are key. I provide regular progress reports to keep everyone informed, set clear objectives, and key performance indicators to measure success. When priorities conflict, I evaluate the needs and impacts on care, costs, and productivity to determine the best path forward. Compromise and resource reallocation are often required. Overall, successful IT implementations in healthcare require managing change through empathy, communication, and a shared vision of improving patient care.
Align on Business Priorities with EOS
Managing the expectations of different executives can be challenging, especially when dealing with conflicting priorities. I recently encountered this situation while reporting to two different executives in the Growth and Operations departments.
I was responsible for leading growth initiatives for our agency while simultaneously being deeply involved in the daily operations of one of our biggest clients. This created a conflict of interest: on one hand, I was expected to drive growth for our agency, while on the other, I needed to execute and manage operations for our client.
To navigate this situation, I utilized the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) approach, which involved discussing this core issue during our L10 stand-up meeting. I brought both executives together to align on priorities and reach an agreement on what was most important for the business at that time.
Through these discussions, we reached a consensus that serving our existing client was the top priority for the business. This helped both executives come to terms with what reasonable expectations should be placed on me.
As a result, we significantly reduced my involvement in the growth side of the business, allowing me to focus more on operations. This shift not only resulted in better outcomes for our client but also reduced the pressure of being pulled in two different directions. It gave me the mental space needed to contribute more meaningfully towards the agency's overall success.
Negotiate Executive Expectations with Data
Balancing the expectations of different executives involves a lot of negotiation and prioritization. One approach I find effective is to have regular check-ins with the executives to understand their current needs and expectations. For example, there was a situation where our finance team wanted to tighten budget controls, while our sales team was advocating for increased spending on customer acquisition. This created a conflict because both were essential for different reasons.
I organized a strategy session where we reviewed the data and projected outcomes of each proposal. By focusing on the bigger picture and finding a middle ground—such as reallocating funds rather than slashing budgets—we managed to satisfy both sides. This approach not only resolved the conflict but also ensured that we made informed decisions that supported our broader business strategy.
Craft Compromises in Budget Conflicts
Managing the expectations of different executives requires clear communication and a keen understanding of their priorities. I recall a situation where our marketing and finance heads had conflicting views on a campaign budget. The marketing team wanted to invest heavily in a new campaign, believing it would drive significant growth, while the finance department was concerned about the immediate impact on our cash flow.
To align these conflicting priorities, I organized a meeting to facilitate open discussion. We explored both perspectives and proposed a phased approach to the campaign. By starting with a smaller, targeted rollout, we could test the market response without a significant upfront investment. This compromise allowed us to gather data and demonstrate potential ROI, easing the finance team's concerns and providing the marketing team with the opportunity to scale up if the campaign proved successful. This experience underscored the importance of finding common ground and crafting solutions that address the core concerns of all parties involved.
Proactively Plan for Attorney Deadlines
Managing expectations of different attorneys is a key part of my role. I've found that clear communication and proactive planning are essential. I regularly meet with each attorney to understand their priorities and deadlines, then create a comprehensive schedule that balances everyone's needs.
One challenging situation arose when two senior attorneys needed extensive research for separate cases with overlapping deadlines. Both felt their case should take precedence. To address this, I organized a meeting with both attorneys, presented a detailed breakdown of each case's requirements and timelines, and proposed a solution that allocated resources fairly. I suggested we bring in an additional paralegal to assist, ensuring both cases received adequate attention without compromising quality.
By presenting a clear, logical plan and showing how it would benefit both cases, I was able to get both attorneys on board. This approach not only resolved the immediate conflict but also set a precedent for handling similar situations in the future. At FHGV, we always strive to work efficiently and collaboratively, ensuring we can provide the best possible service in our mission to seek justice for our clients through the court system.
