8 Critical Leadership Skills This Digital Era And How To Solve Them

In the same way that technology has changed how businesses operate, leadership requires the same transformation. Successful bosses understand that in order to also succeed in the digital age, they have to adapt and cultivate these necessary skills.

The Skills Leaders In The Digital Age Need

1. Communication

In the past, it was quite acceptable and even normal for the top leaders of a firm to be anonymous to the ordinary employee. But in this day and age, this will no longer ensure success. It does not mean he has to walk the floor and greet everyone, as technology makes communication much easier. The key is to be less distant and to engage the employees to keep them motivated. A clear communications strategy is also needed to make sure that messages are consistent and delivered well.

A great example is the CIO of Ford, who used video to connect with every member of the organization. With just her mobile phone, she recorded short videos with the title, “if you have a minute.“ She used this platform to share the company’s achievements and new products.

How to develop this skill? According to https://www.efflog.com.au/, leaders must use technology to remain visible and communicate with employees. They feel more motivated and engaged with their work when they see the results. Plus, leaders can empower employees by sharing future plans this way.

2. Vision

People work in order to have the means to provide for themselves and their families. While jobs are the means to this end, it does not mean that they do not want to be passionate about what they do. Employees who are fully engaged and love their jobs perform better, which is good for the organization as well.

In order to get the full commitment of employees, leaders in the digital age need to have a vision. This is necessary to encourage them to work hard towards a single goal. Great leaders can paint the picture of what they dream of and are able to accomplish if they work together. With a company full of motivated employees, there are no limits to what they can achieve.

How to develop this skill? All organizations have a goal when they start operations, but the trick is to make this clear and to be able to communicate this effectively to everyone in the company. It is also a good step to align this vision with the objectives of different teams and departments.

3. Digital Literacy

True enough, technology has reinvented many companies. This has been proven by a study by MIT and Harvard Business Review, wherein 90% of 1,000 CEOs interviewed reporting their business being transformed by digital business models.

This presents a huge challenge for leaders who were born in earlier generations without this new technology. They require the skills and the know-how to adopt basic technology and digital marketing practices that are necessary for the business of today. In fact, it is not unusual to find a CEO half their age who can utilize this technology without problems.

How to develop this skill? The key is to adopt a learning mindset because one course is not enough to be up-to-date with everything. They need to be continuously acquiring the skills and knowledge to become and remain experts.

4. Strategy

When a company adopts new technology or reinvents itself in this age, it will require a huge shift in how everything is done. Strategy is vital to get the company from where they are to where they want to be. Having a clear and coherent approach to accomplishing this shift is necessary to make it successful.

How to develop this skill? Leaders need not only full commitment but the dedication to see their transformation through. It means providing the resources and implementing the required changes to make it happen. Communication is also important so that employees are not confused about the new practices and of course, a little bit of time is required to allow everyone to get the hang of it. But the benefits will definitely outweigh the headaches everyone has to endure during the process.

5. Innovation

One thing that has not changed is competition. Unfortunately, in the digital age, it has become tougher for companies to stay on top. However, by adopting the right technologies and by remaining flexible and adaptable, they can keep up with the ever-changing world. Innovation is truly an important skill that will allow organizations to succeed.

The worst step to take in the changing times is to remain stubbornly stuck on old beliefs and practices that may have been successful in the past, but are not anymore the best ways to conduct business nowadays. Leaders simply need to open their minds to how technology can shape the ways things are done in the company. For all they know, they can finally improve their processes and solve problems that can help the business grow.

How to develop this skill? Being open-minded is key but leaders need to also keep themselves abreast in what is new in the industry. Adopting new technologies, including social media, will allow them to stay on top. It might take some time to adapt, but it will be worth it.

6. Risk-Taking

According to Mark Zuckerberg, “the biggest risk is not taking any risk.“ In fact, being too cautious is the quickest way to fail in the digital age. While introducing something new can be scary for many leaders, being the first at something innovative will mean the business will reap huge benefits.

How to develop this skill? Leaders should not just encourage innovation within the company; they should also be willing to back them up.

7. Adaptability

Again, being the guy stuck in the old times will lead to frustrated employees and lack of success in the digital age. Developments in technology can be tough to adapt, but companies who are flexible and adaptable can sail through these moments and get back to business.

How to develop this skill? Being rigid and resisting change cannot change the fact that the business needs to adapt. Instead, leaders should try to keep abreast with the newest technology and be willing to implement them in their company before their competitors beat them to it.

8. Talent Spotting

No matter how talented a leader is, they cannot do everything. There is real talent out there, but interestingly, some of the young people bring skills and knowledge that the older employees do not have. This is why companies who succeed in the digital age know to attract and develop new talent. Beyond hiring them, leaders should also be open to what these employees bring to the table.

In order to transition to the digital age, bringing people adept at the newest technology can literally be the difference between success and failure.

How to develop this skill? Having talent training programs will attract young people fresh from university and allow them to join different branches of the company to learn and contribute is a great idea. Not only will these leaders bring in fresh talent, but they also stand to learn a lot.

Successful leaders always know to adapt to a changing business climate. With the emergence of the digital age, the skills above are simply not just an advantage, but instead a must to get ahead of competitors.

About the author:

Jordan Packer is the Operation Manager of Effective Logistics – a reputable 3PL company in Melbourne. He has extensive experience in warehousing, transports, and logistics for more than a decade. With many years of experience, he has a depth of understanding every company’s logistics needs.

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