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Einstein is credited for saying, “No problem has ever been solved by the same consciousness that created it.” With all the amazing advancements in technology—digital, data and robotics—it’s easy to fall into the trap that “the machines” will handle the challenges and the issues in our businesses, and we can lead and manage the way we always have. In a word, no—unless you are the kind of leader who:
• Knows you are only as good as your team.
• Listens more than talks.
• Empowers more than manages (micro, anyone?).
• Allows failing as a powerful learning opportunity, rather than a cause for punishment.
• Addresses issues quickly, rather than letting them fester.
• Communicates, communicates and communicates some more.
• Repeats these steps, regularly.
Relationships are more important than ever. Technology means that the conversations you have with your customers are fewer—and thus more important than before.
Equally, the conversations you have with your teams have more influence than ever, as they direct the development of your processes through tech. You don’t need to ask your finance team for reports and analysis as often as before—it’s all at your fingertips. Yet, when there is deeper analysis to do, those conversations have much more importance than the traditional weekly financial spreadsheet discussion.
Change brings opportunity, excitement, development and efficiencies. Change through digital, data and technology comes faster and even can take on its own life through artificial intelligence. Change also brings chaos, uncertainty and fear. Will my team be smaller? Will my role go away? Will I lose my job? What’s it going to look like? And then people just might gossip, protect turf, and resist that change—on steroids—in the digital economy.
To manage change in our exciting times, you will need high business intelligence, emotional intelligence, a degree of technological intelligence and a total commitment to recognizing that these all continue to evolve—as must we all.
Sometimes you cannot hear, see or feel it for yourselves when things are moving at such a pace. Keeping your senses on alert is more important than ever. Building connections and trust is essential—always. Having those you trust to be eyes and ears for you—as well as to be able to help communicate the vision and the values with and for you—is a mark of great leadership.
As another famous saying—albeit unattributed—goes, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” ♦
Stephen Garber is director of Third Level Ltd. Contact him at 561.752.5505 or sgarber@thirdlevel.com.
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