Digital transformation requires a new kind of leader

There’s a temptation to consider digital transformation (DX) as technology that might need to be employed, but as with anything else, successful DX is driven by the people in your organisation – the very people who will either adopt or resist the technology.

This means DX requires a particular kind of leadership.

Human beings, by their nature, are resistant to change. None of us likes being taken out of our comfort zone and put in a position where the way we’ve done something for decades is thrown into question. This means helping employees to imagine the future and accept that it’s possible, and managing their expectations along the way.

For leaders, this will mean making difficult decisions and having the dreaded “courageous conversations” with employees who are trying to block change. It will mean identifying internal champions of the changes and empowering them to drive it forward. It may require bringing in external talent to boost knowledge and skills internally.

It will certainly require superb communication skills to ensure that change messaging reaches all corners of the organisation and that employees are never left wondering what the next step is, or how their lives will be affected.

Most of all, however, it requires the entire top structure to be unified in owning the DX and model courage, enthusiasm, participation in the process and a willingness to support those who require additional bolstering. 

Digital transformation as part of enterprise culture

Leaders must understand that DX isn’t a one-off exercise, or something that happens separately in its own silo. Rather, it is an integral part of your operations that must occur every day and continuously. It must evolve with your enterprise and become part of the company’s current and future culture.

To build this culture, leaders will have to do the following:

1. Embrace curiosity — Instead of being afraid of novelty, learn to be curious about new things and investigate how you can create value for the organisation.
2. Don’t confuse innovation with reinventing the wheel — Not everything requires that companies innovate from scratch. Instead, look at how you can use existing tech where possible, or copy it, and only innovate for your organisation’s unique challenges.
3. Be a pioneer — Look beyond your own industry for opportunities to create something new that can add extra value, or even become a product or industry on its own.
4. Remember that digital is not the outcome, but a means to an end — See technology as an enabler of your core business processes and operations rather than being an end in itself.
5. Reinvent your approach to leadership — This journey is about a whole new way of being a leader and bringing your employees along with you. It is about more than just finding solutions to business requirements.
6. Stay adaptable — This will require both flexibility and agility, because DX is a journey and things change fast.
7. Understand every part of your company — This will help to ensure you select the right digital tools for your business.
8. Remember that transformation is not easy — It requires serious effort. It means overcoming fears, shedding the past and pushing yourself and your employees towards something more. It may require that you all dig deep to make the changes you want.

The changes will be spread across people, processes and technology, so be prepared for challenges like employee resistance, financial constraints and a lack of expertise in a variety of areas.

However, the role of a leader is to lead by example, so leaders should ensure they learn about the new digital tools available, become au fait with them and encourage their employees to follow suit.

With the right example, attitude, training and support, employees will be able to handle the transition and navigate the change and the company into a bright future.

About the author: Rebatho Madiba leads business development digital platform solutions at BCX.

This article was sponsored by BCX.