For digital leaders, their actions encompass way more than just the consumption of information. Instead, they synthesize learning, encouraging the utilization of the process in environments that value collaboration. Digital leaders are energetic change agents who strive to transform the status quo and generally make things better in their sphere of influence by facilitating excellent communication. In doing so, they utilize several technological advancement tools. As such, digital leaders are often able to cause progression in digital technology for themselves and, in addition, for other people.
For successful digital transformation, organizations depend on the guidance of skilled digital leaders. Today’s digital world has become a place that attracts, connects, and gives fuel to a diverse group of people who’re there of their own free will, not due to coercion. As a result, this world is often radically different from the traditional domains. Here, structure makes way for fluidity, control for influence, and certainty for ambiguity. In this changed scenario, digital leaders have to initiate organization-wide efforts to bring changes to processes and mindsets, along with choosing and implementing the most suitable technologies for business sustenance and growth.
Typically, highly effective digital leaders should have the following four traits:
1. Adaptability: Since digital initiatives are almost “never-ending,’’ digital leaders need to be adaptable with their communication and implementation of technology shifts without disrupting other strategies. When a different approach to work is necessary, communicating the right way and motivating employees to embrace the change is crucial. Even when initiating technology shifts, it’s important to be adaptable to avoid interfering with existing strategies or initiatives.
2. Ability to cope with and navigate through changes: This is part of being adaptable. Digital transformation requires coping with changes and navigating through them by encouraging agility and experimentation, while ensuring a framework is ready to manage the associated risks.
3. Adept at building relationships: As transformation is basically about relationships, contextual awareness and building better relationships with the stakeholders are crucial. Be it the business partners or the employees, digital leaders should be able to understand their needs and pain-points and collaborate with them on new technology and business processes to ensure long-term success.
4. Superb communication and collaboration skills: Digital transformation involves new ways of working as a team. This makes it vital for digital leaders to be able to clearly communicate their goals and tactics and explain how crucial the role of every single employee or business partner (external or internal) will be, thus encouraging collaboration.
