As digital transformation continues to be a priority across many organisations, as they continue to adjust to life after Covid-19. Businesses and leaders that have implemented digital transformation have experienced the benefits of digital leadership. 

What is digital leadership? 

Leadership in a business involves an individual making sure all departments in the organisation are set up correctly in order to achieve the company’s goals and ambitions. 

Digital leadership could be categorised the same, but specifically, a digital leader ensuring that digitisation continues to set up the business for success in the long run, and creating a competitive edge as a result. 

Making sure a digital-first approach is sustained is the primary objective, whilst identifying how digital practices are integrated with various projects amongst other issues. 

What management styles can be associated with digital leadership? 

Whilst typical leaders can be described as expected to be good decision-makers, strong communicators, and motivators, a digital leader is all that and more. However, their sole focus is to take full responsibility for driving digital small and large-scale digital transformation in an organisation. 

Leading this initiative can be tricky in 2023, as leaders are to motivate and inspire their workforce to be on board with their vision. Employees will be taken out of their comfort zone, and the right digital leadership will assure them that the change will be worth it. 

But what traits must you have when it comes to digital leadership? 

Commanding 

This approach in general content can be uncomfortable for employees as they are expected to do whatever is asked of them without any leeway or compromise. When it to digital, this type of leadership style can be necessary in some cases. Due to the increase of remote and hybrid setup work environments, the increased emergence of cyber threats and the importance of data protection has become non-negotiable. With digital transformation efforts, the whole workforce needs to be on board with the required changes whilst understanding the need for change. 

In a business environment that considers itself agile, this type of leadership should be reserved for emergency situations only. 

Coaching 

This style of digital leadership is perhaps the most important during the digital transformation journey. Whilst some people will be excited and committed to integrating more digital into business procedures, but not everyone will feel as comfortable. 

The role of a digital leader in this instance is to encourage and communicate to the workforce of the various benefits the changes bring to the business and also their individual skill sets as a whole. A strategic plan including subsequent training and guidance to ensure the business is ready for a digital workplace will be beneficial. 

Visionary 

It’s likely that during transitions, there are likely to be challenges and sometimes doubt along the way.  However, this leadership style is a leader who is able to put doubt to one side, overcome challenges and encourage everyone to see the long-term worth of the journey they’re on. 

With the fast-moving nature of the digital industry, there are always new innovations to get used to, and strong leadership keeps everyone motivated and alert to any digital challenges they may face.