What is a successful change leader?

The growth of an organization depends primarily on the decisions of its leaders, but also on the implementation of a strategic plan and associated budgets. For a digital transformation process to be successful, it requires the elaboration of a well-defined strategy that takes an overview of the company’s current situation, determines the objectives, and takes a path that makes sense and connects the dots. More than that, this major change relies on the skills of leaders who must become aware of their key role and their indispensability. 

Elaborate a plan for its digital transformation

Digital transformation does not happen overnight and requires a lot of work. The mountain of decisions and changes it involves is usually one of the first obstacles that business leaders encounter. This colossal project, therefore, requires a team dedicated to its realization and a solid strategy around which all efforts will revolve to ensure success.

A solid strategy, very good, but what does it mean?

The strategy to be put in place in order to plan a digital transformation goes beyond the purely technological aspects. Indeed, it questions the entire business model of the organization and plans an injection of change into all its operations. Thus, to initiate a digital transformation, the strategy must take into consideration :

• a clear vision of the company;
• the necessary financial resources;
• realistic planning;
• a team dedicated entirely to this project;
• external expertise services;
• an open-mindedness on the part of all stakeholders.

Read: An introduction to Digital Maturity

A good strategy cannot be established without, most importantly, the decision-maker(s) in the organization being convinced and ready to take the big step of going digital. Even if all the higher points are taken into consideration, nothing can move forward or be done without the full involvement of management. 

Before developing the plan, a first step should not be overlooked before activating the lever of transformation. This step is very simple and only takes a few minutes: the digital maturity assessment. To avoid taking action without having the keys in hand, it is crucial to assess your company’s digital maturity. This way you will be able to see where you stand in relation to the competition. BRIDGR offers you a tool that will allow you to evaluate yourself in only 15 minutes. You will receive a score and a complete report with precise recommendations.

Adapting leadership to change

Good digital transformation requires good leadership. A business leader who is not invested in this major project and who does not realize the magnitude of the work that goes along with the transformation is a leader who is not ready to make the leap to digital.

To ensure that promising results are achieved, the leader must oversee the entire process, from point A to point B, by establishing himself as a transformation leader and not just a growth leader. The nuance is important to note since a transformation leader bridges the gap between a global vision and a more meticulous vision of detail.

A good transformation leader must:

• listen to his teams and take their reality into account;
• lead in a less vertical manner than before;
• know how to make the right decisions at the right time;
• make concessions for the smooth running of the transformation;
• be open-minded and accept changes, even the most extreme ones;
• learn to be flexible and to adapt to any new situation;
• be in a continuous learning posture.

The business leader must position himself from the start as a key factor in change. It is he who must orchestrate the transformation, take responsibility, and motivate the troops by integrating the importance of digitization. But how should they behave with their teams to make the process go smoothly?

The good leader facing his troops:

Like any great change, digital transformation is about rethinking the way things are done. Not all employees welcome it in the same way, for some it’s very easy to integrate, but for others, it’s much more complicated. A good leader must take into consideration the different situations of his employees and find a compromise that everyone can agree on. It’s not a good idea to shake up your teams, because they are the ones who are responsible for a change! The best course of action is to :

• prepare them for change;
• let them express themselves and give their opinion;
• integrate them into the transformation process in one way or another;
• provide them with the tools and/or methodologies needed to support them in dealing with change;
• offer them ongoing training to get them used to new things;
• remain attentive to their needs at all times;
• show patience and understanding.

Read: Culture of innovation : 6 key steps towards change!

It is very important for business leaders to understand that by taking on the role of transformation leader, they are empowering themselves. By putting in place adapted and flexible management techniques and by focusing on people, they give themselves the chance to see their digital transformation take a positive turn. 

Before beginning any process related to digital transformation, make sure you are thoroughly prepared. As a leader, take the reins and don’t hesitate to change your habits and accompany your teams towards a constant change for their own good and that of your company. Take the time to make a clear and concise strategic plan and surround yourself with digital professionals who will effectively accompany you throughout this beautiful journey.