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What are the defining characteristics of digital era leaders?
I'm working on a new blog post* focused on the key characteristics of digital era leaders. I've started a list of what I consider defining traits, and I thought I'd crowdsource additional ideas. Thinking across sectors and disciplines, but focusing on the role of digital technology in organizations, economies, and societies, what do you think are the most important aspects for leaders to be successful? Thanks in advance for your insights.
*For the Digital Era Thinkers blog on the Global Center for Digital Era Leadership (GCDEL) website.
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6 Answers
I agree that Steve Jobs epitomized the Digital Era Leader, but perhaps not for the same reasons as Terry.
The qualities of a Digital Era leader are not unlike those of a big game hunter: predicting the movement of your target and effectively shooting at a point ahead of your target. In the time it takes to roll out a plan aimed at the point where technology IS, today's hectic pace of digital innovation will have moved the target far out of reach.
Mr. Jobs did two things: looked ahead with a prognosticator's uncanny sense at what products SHOULD be cool, and then MADE those products the very definition of cool. Why is an average human being anywhere in the world willing to drop twice on an iPhone what another device would cost? Because it is cool, and is perceived to make them cool. Most have no clue what their device is capable of, and it doesn't matter. It, and they, are now cool.
The same could be said of Mark Zuckerberg.
So find your prey, determine where it should be at the end of your development cycle, and market in a way that makes YOUR product the very definition of that product type.
Being able to anticipate needs/wants in the future, and to deliver products/services that meet those needs in an elegant, integrated way. Also having the ability to synthesize streams of thought across industry/sectoral/functional boundaries. Steve Jobs epitomizes the Digital Era leader.
Thanks for your comments, Terry and Belldon. I'll be sure to incorporate your ideas as I continue to develop the blog post.
Although one person generally gets the credit, leadership is a team sport. The key is to inspire great people to play with you. If you've infused them with the dream and they get where you want to go, all you have to do is respect them by getting out of their way and letting them do their magic.
zeroes and ones! :)
A couple of thoughts come to mind to answer this question.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
Mario Andretti
"Don't wait for success, start ahead without it."
Anonymous
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