The rapid changes in the tech industry have indeed altered virtually all aspects of our lives. From how we build relationships, track our health, and plan our work, technology has a tremendous influence on all that we do.
Technology, however, is agile and constantly evolving at a rate that many can’t keep up with. At work, it has become essential for leaders to swiftly adapt to new technological advancements so that they do not fall behind.
Amid the current complex and volatile business environment, a significant shift in management and leadership style has occurred to keep up with the rhythm of this new world. Traditional autocratic leaders have subsequently been replaced by collaborative leaders, slowly making traditional power dynamics obsolete, especially with the growing popularity of hybrid and remote work.
Not only has hybrid and remote working pushed leaders to re-strategise how they manage their distributed workforce, but it has also given employees the opportunity to voice out and provide input when significant work choices are made. All in the name of making hybrid and remote work more equitable and effective for today’s working community.
Never too Young to Lead
As more millennials and Gen Zs enter the workforce, it seems like there is a need to adopt new leadership traits and expectations to better engage and collaborate with these demographics.
The days of command-and-control leadership are numbered as more and more youthful leaders emerge. And they are progressively trained and integrated into policymaking and programming, ensuring that decisions are relevant and aligned to the new working styles.
These new bloods are altering the dynamics of workplace requirements. Employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity are now recognised as legitimate markers of leadership success.
Youthful leaders are also prioritising workforce inclusivity, engagement, active listening, self- determination, and empathy.
Digital Technologies as a Leadership Amplifier
As previously said, technology has transformed the way we do things, and with it, the capacity to empower leadership. Leaders may now build collaborative work environments and provide team members greater flexibility in carrying out their tasks thanks to modern digital tools.
As a pathway for automation, technology has also given leaders and managers more time to lead. This is significant because, as digitalisation disrupts our day-to-day, leaders must address the challenge of making their organisations more adaptable and resilient in an ever-changing business landscape while also focusing more on strategic transformation.
Though not all new technologies will have a significant impact on the corporate or social environment, some have the potential to disrupt the status quo, alter how people live and work, and reorganise value chains. Having technical abilities will drive changes in leadership positions in the next few years; with the top domains in which leaders must excel these days include advanced robotics, AR/VR, AI, and IoT.
Young Leaders and the Power to Design Human-centric Workplaces
While it may appear difficult to foresee an inclusive future in the digital era as our co-workers become more dispersed (through hybrid and remote working); with the right tools, technology, and new ways of thinking, young leaders can establish digitally linked human-centric workplaces.
While technology and business are often seen as indicators of performance, the human aspect is critical to innovation and positive change. Through diversity, a team performs better when brilliant individuals work cohesively and learn from one another. Because technology, society, and business are all interconnected, leaders must ride the wave of digital transformation, connecting new digital technologies and people.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) are essential for businesses; it is more than another KPI to satisfy, it is a must for any successful firm as it holds the key to the innovation required for business growth. Companies with more diverse leadership teams report higher innovation revenue (45% versus 26% for companies with below-average diversity ratings). By fostering DEI and leveraging digital technologies, it empowers business and tech leaders to seize the most compelling commercial possibilities.
At Schneider Electric, we have made strides in building and fostering a culture that values flexibility and celebrates the diversity of thoughts and approaches, making work something worth waking up for. We foster inclusion, purpose, recognition, care, and innovation so that our employees are empowered to take on new challenges and provided with the means to thrive and succeed in a diverse environment.
The Time is Now for Young Tech Leaders
I’d like to end by saying – age should never be a barrier to lead; being a brilliant and inspirational leader at a young age may seem daunting, but it should never let that stop you from being the industry’s mover and shaker. The younger generation of leaders holds the power to establish environments that pave the way for digital maturity, attract top talent, and push people to exceed expectations.
By Schneider Electric Country General Manager for Malaysia & Brunei Eugene Quah
