We discuss common digital transformation mistakes that leaders need to avoid if they want to lead their organization into a successful future.
The merits of undertaking the process of digital transformation for an organization are more profound than ever due to the pandemic. It has reached a point where it is not an option, it has become a necessity for any organization in any industry to succeed. With a wave of new digital practices and innovations, digital leaders are diving headfirst into transforming their organizations and leading the way to success.
However, it is not as simple as it sounds. Buzzwords like “digital transformation” and “future-ready innovation” make the process sound linear and all-encompassing. There’s much more to than what meets the eye. Often, leaders end up committing digital transformation mistakes that delay results and act as a deterrent to the success of the whole process. The stakes are very high here, as a Kong Survey noted that 40% of digital leaders believe that companies will fail by 2023 if they continue to be digital laggards. Let’s take a look at these mistakes and how to avoid them below.
The first and foremost thing that digital leaders need to understand is that digital transformation is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Digital practices will allow the organization to streamline processes and deliver results if done right. They won’t change the core processes of the organization or fix loopholes beyond their scope.
To avoid this digital transformation mistake, leaders need to have a clear vision as to what they expect out of the digital transformation in their organization. It may be enhanced efficiency due to business automation, reduced dependence on IT due to no-code tools, or streamlining of workflows through collaborative platforms. It can be a mix of various expectations, the possibilities are endless. Once this vision is established, it is important to understand that digital practices will strengthen and empower the way to the greater vision, and not be the vision themselves. Digital transformation is a journey that leads an organization to the path of success and innovation.
Hence, digital leaders need to be very clear about reasons and outcomes before leading digital transformation in their organization.
There are a few must-haves traits that digital leaders, and unsurprisingly one of them is to think beyond industry boundaries. The process of digital transformation cannot be just a response to competitors doing the same. The crux of adopting digital practices is innovation, which can only be achieved through an approach that goes beyond any specific industry or sector.
Therefore, digital leaders must not fall into a myopic pitfall and commit this digital transformation mistake. They need to have their eyes open for inspiration from all places and be ready to take pioneering action that their industry might have never seen before.
A common digital transformation mistake that is committed by a lot of organizations is to bring in technology without aligning it to the business goals of an organization and without incorporating it into their culture. Digital adoption will only be successful if it’s done to complement the greater organizational strategy, and not when it is done for the sake of it. The onus is on the top management to highlight the potential of digital transformation to their business and inspire employees to embrace the changes fully.
It is the duty of any proficient digital leader to understand the long-term objectives and targets of an organization and adding the digital aspect seamlessly to fulfill these objectives in a way that is better and faster.
If the process of digital transformation is expected to change the way an organization function and bring in technological innovation, it is common knowledge that the employees cannot be left in a lurch.
