What makes a great digital leader?

Globally, CEOs say they understand the opportunities and threats of digital business, but most admit that they have yet to build a digital vision for their company. In a survey of 436 business leaders, conducted by the Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, CEOs from around the world were asked about their digital leadership and digital management. Digital leadership is the ability to create and communicate a vision for one’s enterprise, while digital management is the ability to manage people, processes and tech in order to execute the strategy.

Of those surveyed, only 19% said that they were both strong in digital leadership and management.

While chief information officers remained key to keeping a company up to date with an organization’s technology, the survey concludes that a broader understanding throughout the company is needed to succeed. A combination of a digitally competent CEO, a clear digital vision and digital proficiency at multiple leadership levels has shown a strong return. On average, CEOs who defined their companies as having the above also reported revenue growth of over 10%.

One roadblock to success highlighted in the report was the lack of well-equipped teaching and coaching within an organization. Organizations that were confident in their digital abilities also expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills needed were available at multiple levels of management, from the CEO down.

Have you read?
5 things every CEO must do
12 books every leader must read
61 inspirational leadership quotes

Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.

Image: An illustration picture shows a projection of binary code on a man holding a laptop computer, in an office in Warsaw. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel