Last updated on Aug 10, 2024

You're juggling conflicting directives from supervisors. How do you decide which urgent tasks to prioritize?

In the whirlwind of office administration, you're often caught in the crossfire of conflicting directives from different supervisors. It's challenging, but your role is pivotal in ensuring that the workflow remains smooth and that priorities are managed effectively. Making decisions about which tasks to handle first can feel like a high-stakes balancing act. Yet, with a strategic approach, you can navigate these waters with confidence and maintain your composure, even when the pressure mounts.

1 Assess Impact

When you're faced with urgent tasks from multiple supervisors, the first step is to assess the impact of each task. Consider the consequences of not completing the task on time. Does it affect clients, a team's productivity, or a critical business process? The tasks with the highest impact on the organization's operations or reputation should generally take precedence. By evaluating the potential outcomes, you can make informed decisions that align with your company's goals and minimize negative repercussions.

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Prof. Jan Kruger

CEO, Chair and independent director at many companies
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When you have more than one supervisor, it is the responsibility of the supervisors to co-ordinate their feedback. This is true of network structures and academic supervision.

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RENE PELLISSIER

Strategy, Leadership Development and Internationalization in Higher Education
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I believe differences add to the academic discourse. The student is assessed on the ability to analyse and synthesise. That is how knowledge is created and grown.

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Dr Oarabile Mochwanaesi

CEO & Founder of Mochwanaesi Foundation | Dentist | Advocate for Educational Equity and Community Health|Young Leaders Award Nominee 2024
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when one has multiple supervisors ,it is important to establish rapport and channels to make uniform communications to minimize going back and forth and wasting time which could have been used to produce quality work ,both or all supervisors must be communicating with one another .however matter of urgency is critical to the deadlines

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Dunia Mukhles, COM, PHRM

Executive Assistant | Certified Office Manager | Certified HR Professional & Corporate Trainer
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To decide which urgent tasks to prioritize when juggling conflicting directives from supervisors, first seek clarification on the deadlines and the overall impact of each task on the organization's goals. Communicate with the supervisors to understand the relative importance and urgency of their requests. If necessary, facilitate a discussion between the supervisors to reach a consensus on task prioritization. Additionally, consider the resources available and any potential dependencies or bottlenecks to ensure that you can complete the highest-priority tasks effectively and efficiently.

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Patricia Chapple
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Met with the supervisors to prioritize the urgency and timelines of the task. Get the details and directive of the tasks. Come to an agreement/ expectation of the finished tasks.

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2 Clarify Urgency

Understanding the urgency of tasks can be like deciphering a code. Ask your supervisors for specific deadlines and the reasons behind them. This will give you a clearer picture of the timeline and allow you to prioritize tasks based on when they're due. Remember, what seems urgent to one supervisor might not be as time-sensitive when viewed in the broader context of organizational needs.

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Drew Dennis

VP, Information Technology
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Evaluate all of the tasks requested, determine those with the highest value (or risk) to the company, prioritize those, and assign the most suited member of your team to them.

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3 Communicate Openly

Open communication is your lifeline in the sea of conflicting directives. Reach out to your supervisors and explain your situation without assigning blame. Discuss your workload and seek their input on prioritization. This not only helps you align your tasks with their expectations but also fosters a collaborative environment where everyone is aware of the challenges and can work together to find a solution.

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4 Leverage Delegation

Delegation is a powerful tool in your administrative arsenal. If you're swamped with tasks and have the authority, delegate appropriately to other team members. Choose individuals whose skills match the task requirements and who have the capacity to take on additional work. This not only helps you manage your workload but also empowers others by giving them opportunities to contribute and grow.

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5 Review Resources

Take a moment to review your available resources. Do you have access to tools or colleagues that can expedite certain tasks? Perhaps there's software that can automate part of the process or a team member who has a lighter workload and can assist. Utilizing resources effectively can help you complete tasks more efficiently and free up time to focus on other urgent matters.

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6 Prioritize Flexibly

Finally, remember that prioritization is not set in stone. Be prepared to shift your focus as new information comes in or situations change. The ability to adapt to changing priorities is a hallmark of effective office administration. Keep track of all tasks and deadlines using a system that allows for easy updating, and don't hesitate to re-evaluate your priorities if the business landscape shifts.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You're juggling conflicting directives from supervisors. How do you decide which urgent tasks to prioritize?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Impact

2 Clarify Urgency

3 Communicate Openly

4 Leverage Delegation

5 Review Resources

6 Prioritize Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Office Administration

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You're juggling conflicting directives from supervisors. How do you decide which urgent tasks to prioritize?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Impact

2 Clarify Urgency

3 Communicate Openly

4 Leverage Delegation

5 Review Resources

6 Prioritize Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Office Administration

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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