The Art Of Leading Equals In The Digital Age

“If Your Actions Inspire Others To Dream More, Learn More, Do More And Become More, You Are A Leader.” - John Quincy Adams

Doing a Post Graduate Diploma Course in Management is a far different experience in digital age than it used to be in earlier times. With digitization gradually becoming the buzz-word, the very nature of personal and professional relationships have changed. In the wake of this change, VJIM teaches young leaders how to harmonize a vast array of differences in the workplace be it racial, cultural, generational so as create something new and potent.

In the digital age, where knowledge is at everyone’s disposal, true leadership lies in your ability to unite people in a team without having to sacrifice their individuality. In other words, the present day leader is no more a person who is holding his team’s finger to lead them in a way. He is a facilitator providing his team what they need to do their job and then getting out of their way to do it. Only then will this new talent be able to unlock new technology, new perspectives, and new, more human communities.

The Workforce Is Not What It Used To Be

The new generation of workforce has grown up with digital media which gives them an added advantage over their older counterparts. They are more intuitive, quick and confident while taking up a task. Their risk taking capability is high and they are willing to work in an aggressive environment where there is less planning and more action.

So what do organisations do in order to make sure that the new generation works in harmony with the older generation because in reality they need the adroitness of digital natives without having to sideline the skills and experience of an older generation.

The Art Of Leading Equals In Digital Age

This is where a new art needs to come into play. The art of leading equals. A much flatter structure where ideas are not always coming from the higher ranks. Companies and leaders alike need to embrace creativity, diversity, and collaboration. A balance between the aggressiveness of the new generation and the patient and calmness of the older ones need to be created and for that a simple realisation needs to be there - you can not do everything and that is why you have been given a team at the first place.

Leaders must work hard to strengthen the bonds with their teams and create enticements that appeal to talent despite their unique backgrounds and identities. As opposed to steering, leaders of digital age need to create opportunity for ensuring a process of collective growth while recognizing their own shortcomings in the process.

Leaders Are Not To Lead But To Follow

Not in the negative sense at all. By follow, we mean you need to follow the instincts of your team and make them the part of the decision making process. Studies  have shown that whenever people consider themselves a part of decision making process, they feel more responsible which in turn increases their efficiency at work at the same time inculcating a risk taking capability for the betterment and growth  of the company. Being a digital leader, means it is ok to not have a plan all the time. You can earnestly approach your team and say, “You know what? I don’t know what to do next. But I believe we can figure it out, together.” This is not humiliating but humbling at your part. It shows that you trust your team and consider them as teammates. Only when you confide in them, they will return the favor by confiding in you and that is how the process leading equals in digital age will work.