Brené with Dr. Linda Hill on Leading With Purpose in the Digital Age
Apr 18, 2022
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Dr. Linda Hill, a top expert on leadership and innovation, discusses leading in the digital era, emphasizing the importance of people over technology. They explore qualities of a digitally mature organization, leading for innovation, and clarifying the role of leadership in digital transformation.
Digital transformation is about people, not just technology.
Authentic leadership involves vulnerability, trust, and emotional intelligence.
Organizations should aim to be data-informed, not just data-driven for better decision-making.
Deep dives
Leadership, Innovation, and Digital Transformation
Dr. Linda Hill, a Harvard researcher, discusses the importance of leadership in innovation and how it differs from leading change. She emphasizes the need to focus on building a culture and capabilities for innovation rather than solely relying on technology. Hill's research shows that digital transformation is more about people and building the necessary culture and skills to leverage technology effectively.
Emotional Awareness and Organizational Change
Hill highlights the significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in effective leadership during times of uncertainty and change. She emphasizes the importance of managing oneself, networks, and teams, recognizing the emotional needs of individuals, and creating an environment of trust and collaboration. Hill advocates for authentic leadership that acknowledges vulnerability and fosters open communication within organizations.
Data Utilization in Digitally Mature Companies
Dr. Hill explores the concept of digital transformation, emphasizing the need for digitally mature companies to utilize data effectively in decision-making processes. She discusses the challenges organizations face in implementing digital tools and ensuring that employees have the necessary skill sets to interpret and use data. Hill highlights the importance of creating a culture that encourages questioning, experimentation, and collaboration to drive innovation and decision-making based on evidence.
Digital Transformation is about People, Not Just Technology
Digital transformation is more about people than technology. A digitally mature organization embraces a challenger mindset, distributed decision making, co-creation, continuous experimentation, and a culture that is data-informed, not just data-driven. By shifting the focus to people and empowering them to innovate, organizations can achieve breakthroughs and foster a collaborative environment that values individual contributions.
Embracing Data-Informed Decision-Making Over Data-Driven Approaches
Differentiating between being data-informed and data-driven is crucial. The speakers highlight the importance of questioning data and understanding the context behind it. Advocating for a culture where judgments and expertise complement data insights leads to better decision-making. By empowering individuals with contextual intelligence and encouraging collaboration, organizations can navigate the complexities of digital transformation and leverage data effectively.
I am talking to Dr. Linda Hill, a researcher, professor of business administration, and chair of the Leadership Initiative at Harvard Business School. She is regarded as one of the top experts on leadership and innovation, and she has done a new study on how to lead in the digital era. We talk about her findings and what leaders are wrestling with today, the qualities of a digitally mature organization, and why digital transformation is less about technology and more about people. We also talk about leading for innovation rather than leading for change. Our organization is definitely experiencing so much of this transformation, and this conversation was so clarifying as we move forward and lead with purpose.
