A dotted line manager is someone who oversees an employee or a team indirectly, typically in addition to their primary manager. This arrangement is called a "dotted line" because it represents a less direct reporting relationship compared to a solid line, which indicates a direct reporting relationship. Dotted line managers often provide guidance, support, and feedback to employees who may not report directly to them but who work on projects or tasks that intersect with their responsibilities. This setup is common in matrix organizational structures or in situations where cross-functional collaboration is necessary.