Leaders | Enable the Digital Enterprise
Respected digital leaders demonstrate the behavioral and organizational norms that inspire others. They understand whom they serve, develop their teams, and make their organizations more effective. Respected digital leaders live a truth that others emulate by choice, not by mandate.
“Become a change-ready organization. This goes beyond being able to deploy a new tool or process — it means building a culture and communication structure that is ready, willing and able to adapt to any change. After all, the rate of change and evolution in business and technology is only going to continue and even pick up speed.” - Keith Kitani, CEO of GuideSpark
5 Essentials for Digital Leaders
Be transparent. Leaders who communicate candidly, openly and honestly through change garner the respect of those whom they serve. Keeping your the team informed - in both good and challenging times - is a leader's responsibility. And, if the news is challenging, people will appreciate the fact-based communication and knowledge of the reality.
Be genuine. Authenticity builds trust. And, in today's digital world, ensuring that you are consistent across online and offline contexts is imperative. Your character and personality are always on display and discoverable. Unify your identity.
Listen. Good leaders put others first, and your employees, customers, partners and team provide digital insights and opinions that drive the thinking to arrive at consensus about future direction. Actively hearing the individual and collective thoughts, needs and input of others enables more effective, and supported, digital actions.
Learn. Establish a pattern of perpetual learning. This will likely include both informal and formal methods. For example, curating content on social channels from analysts, leading digital organizations, books, periodicals, and podcasts serve as informal practices to consider. Establishing a frequency to take a continuing education course, attend an event or conference, or subscribe to an education platform for you and your team may represent formal learning norms.
Lead. There is no greater catalyst for others to follow and emulate than for actions to precede and prove the words spoken. As a digital leader, lead by example by walking the walk, being the first to take the next step, and encouraging others to embrace change.
“Digital transformation requires changes to processes and thinking—changes that span your internal organizational silos.” - George Westerman, MIT
Digital transformation is an organizational initiative. Teams that have successfully undergone digital transformation find that partnering with technology outsourcers and customers increases success. Digital transformation also results in more agile processes, technology ecosystems and organizational philosophies. Technology and business process outsourcers can bridge internal culture, skill, technology and data gaps that become stumbling blocks to digital adoption.