Throughout much of our working history one of the
key aspects of leadership has been the successful transfer of knowledge. There were ‘tried and true’ methods to
perform specific functions. The best companies were able to refine these
methods and ensure that each new generation learned and then further fine-tuned
these processes.
We commonly promoted those individuals who best
grasped and implemented our ‘ways’. At
the top of the hill was the fount of all knowledge and we deferred to HIS
decisions and directions.
But as sure as winter turns to spring, these norms
are being turned on their heads. It started
20-25 years ago as computers became more fundamental to our daily routines. And as the complexity of business
intensified, the process only accelerated.
Leaders were no longer the repository of all
knowledge. In fact, those who held firm
to that misconception were now more of a hindrance than a help. Because they did not have an appreciation of
the power that technology offered, they were not able to harness its’
benefits. Whether as a result of fear or
ignorance or both, they failed in their duties.
We used to say that ‘…that train has left the
station…” But trains don’t travel at the
light speed of today’s changes.
Let me offer a singular example. It is representative of what effective
leadership looks like in the 21st century.
When the Covid pandemic started about a year ago, a
key to confronting the disease was identifying its spread. One of the largest political jurisdictions in
North America turned to a major consulting firm for answers. While the CEO of that firm negotiated the
terms of the agreement, he was in no position to lead the implementation of a
solution. Instead, it fell to a
brilliant twenty something and his team to use technology to analyze the
situation and then develop and deliver a solution.
Dealing in uncharted waters, within weeks a testing
program was created and rolled out across a broad geographic territory. Following expected initial hiccups, the
testing soon delivered, and continues to deliver, tens of thousands of results
each day. This information allows the medical community to respond to the
changing dynamics of this plague and offers some hope to defeating it.
There was nothing in that CEO’s playbook or personal
experience that would have allowed him to affect a plan. He understood that the best…the only…option
was to defer to some of the youngest members of his organization because it was
there that the union of intelligence and technology resided. Experience was not critical to the process because
there was none to lean on.
You see, knowledge was now being passed up the chain
of responsibility, not vice versa.
As a leader, have you empowered your organization
with the vitality of technology? And
with the vitality of those who truly understand the impact it can have on your
business?
The best ones have. If you missed the boat…good luck…
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