Digital Leadership in Technology

It often seems that one of our few certainties in work & life is uncertainty. Managing ambiguity is interesting to me as a neuroscientist and stress researcher because it involves 2 powerful sources of psychological stress: unpredictability and lack of control. Research tells us that we handle things a lot better if we can see them coming and feel we have some sense of control over them. If we don't, our stress hormones skyrocket and our fight/flight/freeze response kicks in. Our nerves get a little jangled. We feel nervous and on edge. And that impacts how we relate to others and how well we get our work done. Learning how to manage ambiguity is a leadership imperative. Not only does it prevent burnout and promote well-being; it enables leaders to drive innovation and lead their teams through uncertain times. If you struggle to master this skill, you are not alone. As a starting point, it may help to identify the underlying cause/s for a lack of skill in this area. Here are some of them: - Discomfort with a lack of control and unpredictability. Like I said, this is true of us all. It's normal to freak out a little when the fog of uncertainty hits. The trick is to channel your stress response in a productive direction by focusing on what you can control and making the best plans possible with the information at hand. -Change is also stressful. If you are trying to initiate change at your organization, prioritize clear communication. Convey the intent behind it and how it will benefit others. Encourage transparency and promote honest conversations, allowing team members to express their concerns freely. By fostering an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing ambiguity, leaders can harness the collective intelligence of the team and make more informed decisions. - Negative bias. Cynicism may assume that the fog of ambiguity always contains a threat. But the truth is, ambiguity often precedes breakthroughs and new possibilities. Choose instead a healthy skepticism that remains open to potential benefits and learning. - Perfectionism. Ambiguity often calls for experimentation and iteration. Leaders should create a safe space for their teams to test ideas, take calculated risks, and learn from failures. By acknowledging the unknown and accepting uncertainty, leaders can create a culture that encourages exploration, creativity, and adaptability. - Rigidity & need for 100% information before acting. In ambiguous situations, rigid plans can quickly become obsolete. Leaders should embrace strategic flexibility by adapting and adjusting strategies as new information emerges. It also means striking a wise balance between thinking and forward action. The “ready, fire, aim” approach works well if paired with continuous reassessment of goals, reevaluating assumptions, and seeking feedback. **New infographics every week** #manageambiguity #stressmanagement #litvakexecutivesolutions

Transform with purpose: Technology drives change, but people power success Don’t commit one of the 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐬 of digital transformation! 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞: While technology is certainly an important aspect of digital transformation, it’s arguably more important to consider how the changes will impact employees. Strong leadership and good change management will help ensure employees are inspired, motivated, and aligned with the digital strategy. 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Customer experience must be at the heart of digital transformation. Process optimization and cost reduction will help improve the business, but they won’t change the game. Leveraging high-quality product, customer, and market data allows companies to create new business models that provide better product/service performance, customer experience, and business outcomes for customers. 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞: Adopting and implementing a variety of new technologies that need to cohesively work together while simultaneously modifying processes and managing cultural changes is a tough undertaking. Very few companies, if any, have the expertise and experience in-house to pull it off. Partner with experts you trust! 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: As organizations adopt new technologies, it's important to consider the security implications, both for the organization and for the customers. Cybersecurity is too important to be considered an afterthought in the digital transformation process. According to Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report 2022, Manufacturing at 28% had the highest ransomware incident and recovery engagements of any industry. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞: Very few large-scale transformations go exactly as planned. In addition, technological advancements and market conditions are changing so fast that failure to react and adapt quickly can be catastrophic. Embrace digital and cultural agility to foster an environment of continual innovation. 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲: A good digital transformation strategy should describe what success looks like, how it will be graded, and how the combination of technologies will be integrated across all systems and processes to transform the business. 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Digital transformations are designed to be disruptive and can often be costly. Company leaders not only need to agree on the digital strategy, but they also must be fully committed. Otherwise, digital initiatives will run the risk of goal and priority misalignment, high levels of resistance, and loss of funding. To read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eJF383Yi

The fastest way to lose credibility with senior leaders is to say ‘AI strategy’ but deliver tactics. I’ve taught data and AI strategy for 6 years. Few understand strategy well enough to work with C-level leaders. Do you? Run the exercise I use in my courses and see for yourself: Give me an example of something you’ve heard called a data or AI strategy, then tell me if it’s a strategy or a tactic. Data Management, Quality, Governance, Modelling, CoE, Readiness Assessments, Generative AI, Knowledge Graphs, Buy vs. Build, AI Literacy. Which are strategies, and which are tactics? All could be part of implementing and executing a strategy, but all are tactics. A step must come first: proving there’s positive value, not the assumption of it. Strategy is a statement of why that forms a thesis for action. Strategy enables an evaluation of tradeoffs by revealing multiple paths to success. Business leaders can pick the best one, not the most obvious one. Data and AI strategy allow CxOs to ask a critical question. Why are we using data and AI in the first place? Businesses with AI strategies can explain why they use the technology with use cases, not buzzwords. Without an AI Strategy, AI increases costs without delivering new revenue or efficiency. Business goals come first. Opportunities second. Use cases third. Then, the business can document an AI strategy that defines what value all those tactics are expected to deliver. Data and AI strategy means one thing inside the data team but something entirely different for the business. If you say ‘AI strategy’ and go straight to LLMs or data engineering, business leaders put you on a lower level, and it’s a tough road to reestablish credibility. #DataScience #DataEngineering #DataStrategy #AIStrategy

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

Just finished reading a fantastic book "From Data To Profit: How Businesses Leverage Data to Grow Their Top and Bottom Lines". This is not just another business book - it’s a thought-provoking journey that explains how to leverage the true power of data, AI, and disruptive technology to transform your organization. Vin eloquently demonstrates how data is no longer a mere byproduct of operations, but a crucial tool to increase both top and bottom lines! What's unique is that it doesn't just touch the surface, but delves into real-world applications, innovative projects, and compelling use cases. These insights are drawn from his rich experience and provide an invaluable roadmap to reorient organizational frameworks and strategies to take full advantage of new technologies! The book emphasizes the importance of alignment - how to get everyone, from the CEO to individual departments, to work towards a shared tech-centric framework. It reiterates how maintaining the culture during a transformation is the key role of the CEO. The 3-Phase Data Organizational Development Framework and Core <-> Rim 3 Main People Groups Framework offered by Vin are brilliantly conceptualized and offer actionable steps to navigate through this change If you're a data professional, a leader managing data processes, or an executive looking for hands-on advice on digital transformation, this book will be your go-to guide. It provides a comprehensive understanding of new roles such as Chief Digital Officer and Technical Strategist, and how they can be instrumental in your organization’s digital journey. I highly recommend "From Data To Profit" for its impactful insights and practical strategies. It’s a testament to Vin’s deep understanding of the data-driven landscape. After all, data is the new oil, and this book will surely help you strike it rich! Well done, my friend, Vin Vashishta!

Your Leadership Blueprint for the Future 🔛 If you're an executive grappling with the fast-paced evolution of Tech, AKA #ai, you're far from alone. But while some see a challenge, I see an unprecedented opportunity. #GenerativeAi isn't just the future—it's your next competitive advantage. As someone who has spearheaded major technological integrations at AT&T, embracing AI today is not an option but an imperative. >>Key Leadership Strategies in the AI Era 1. "Active Listening: Your Secret Weapon in AI Adoption" Begin by conducting internal audits or surveys to understand the current perception of AI within your organization. Address concerns openly in town-hall meetings. 2. "AI: Augmenting Human Excellence, Not Replacing It" Implement pilot projects that clearly show how AI can improve but not replace human tasks. 3. "A Vision Well Communicated is a Vision Half Realized" Develop a transparent roadmap for AI adoption and share it across all organizational levels. 4. "Collective Learning: The Cornerstone of AI Success" Organize regular training sessions and encourage cross-functional teams to collaborate on AI projects. 5. "Human Potential: The X Factor in Your AI Strategy" • Celebrate and reward creativity, problem-solving, and other uniquely human skills that AI can't replace. >> Reshaping Corporate Roles for an AI-Driven World • "From Rote to Remarkable: Entry-Level Roles Reimagined" Invest in training programs that allow entry-level employees to upskill and take on more creative or strategic roles. • "Middle Management: Your New Role as the Talent Nurturer" Pivot from task managers to talent developers, focusing on guiding teams to maximize the use of AI tools effectively. • "Senior Leaders: Data-Driven Culture Architects" Lead by example. Utilize AI to make informed decisions and set a precedent for a data-driven culture. >> Organizational Structure: The New Shape of Success • "Flat is the New Up: Why Project-Based Teams are Tomorrow's Winners" Move toward a more agile structure that encourages rapid decision-making and adaptation. • Strategic Partnerships: Your Path to AI Superiority "Don't Just Compete, Dominate: Partner to Innovate" Seek partnerships with AI solution providers or academic institutions to stay ahead of the curve. This tech shift and paradigm change will redefine leadership, organization, and strategy. The AI revolution is already here—how you respond today will determine where you stand tomorrow. Are you leveraging AI to solve real-world problems, or are you still in the exploratory phase? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mariana Saddakni, ★ Digital Product Innovation, Operational Mastery, and Customer Experience Excellence ★ Former Global Head of Product and Customer Experience, AT&T– Fractional Executive, Service Industry Growth and Retention Expert 🌐 Let's connect! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

GenAI isn’t just challenging the ideas but also organizational structure/frameworks. The meticulously designed structures within companies, characterized by defined roles, responsibilities, competencies, culture, and a shared vision, are being challenged. One element of this structure is the management layers that typically come with deep context about the business. GenAI has created a divide in excitement levels across the organization. Senior leaders are engrossed in strategizing for GenAI's integration, fascinated by its potential. The ground team and engineers are eager to learn more about this technology and run experiments to evaluate it. However, this enthusiasm presents a conundrum for the middle and mid-senior management tiers, particularly for those in people management roles. It's crucial for them to not only grasp the technical nuances of GenAI but also to understand its broader business implications. This mid-management layer is where strategy meets execution. Any misses here will either create a situation of over-promises and then push the ground teams to achieve the impossible or miss the execution by not understanding the potential of this technology. Both of which could prompt precarious business decisions. In this transformative period, promoting a supportive culture is essential. Success hinges on how well an organization can equip its current managers with new skills while judiciously integrating external leaders (as new hires) to bolster the transition. If not handled properly, there's a risk of territorial behavior that might push real problem-solving out of the window. #ExperienceFromTheField #WrittenByHuman

As a CTO who has successfully scaled AI and tech products, I’ve refined productivity strategies that can transform your leadership workflow and enhance your team’s output. If you’re leading in the tech industry, and grappling with overwhelming demands, the 3 targeted tactics I’m about to share are tailored for the unique challenges you face. My guiding principle each week is the 'Rule of Three': identifying three top priorities that serve as my North Star. These aren't just scribbled in a planner but physically placed on my office wall, a constant visual reminder of my core focus. This practice not only keeps me centered amidst the whirlwind of daily tasks but also ensures that every action is a step toward our most critical goals. Sharing these priorities with my direct reports does more than foster transparency — it aligns our efforts, synchronizes our strides, and forms the bedrock of our collective pursuit. It's a simple yet profoundly effective strategy that has continually steered us toward meaningful progress and impactful results. Next, time blocking has been a critical strategy. Carving out dedicated blocks for deep work, meetings, and even unexpected tasks allows me to create a rhythm amidst the chaos. This isn't just about sticking to a schedule; it's about allocating mental space and ensuring that high-priority projects get the uninterrupted attention they deserve. I always check each Friday that my time blocked schedule appropriately reflects the work I need to accomplish for my top three priorities. Lastly, I leverage automation and delegation. By automating routine tasks and delegating effectively, I maintain focus on what truly requires my expertise. It's not just about offloading work; it's about empowering my team by entrusting them with responsibilities that aid their growth while freeing me to lead more effectively. A framework I really like using is the Eisenhower matrix around categorizing work based on its urgency and importance. I try and focus as much of my work as I can on the important and urgent tasks. Implementing these strategies hasn’t just boosted my personal productivity; it sets a precedent for the whole team. When leaders manage their time effectively, it cascades down, fostering a culture of efficiency and clarity. Remember, in the world of tech and AI, where the ground shifts daily, these strategies aren't just nice-to-have—they're essential for survival and success. If you're leading in this space and looking to refine your approach to productivity, let's connect and share insights that propel us forward! #techleadership #productivitytools #teamleader

When organizational changes or external factors create uncertainty, communication mistakes by leaders can unintentionally increase stress and anxiety for employees. As a department or team head, you must convey information thoughtfully. Key Takeaways: - Spotlighting only successes can make failure seem abnormal and prompt shame when things go wrong. Share lessons learned from challenges, too. - Provide "non-update" updates so silence doesn't fuel the assumption of impending bad news. - Balance future focus with recognition of accomplishments to date so teams feel capable. - Acknowledge hard times transparently without oversharing unconstructive venting. - Explain the rationale for surprises to prevent worst-case assumptions. Actions to Take: - Frame success stories as "belonging interventions" that normalize hurdles. - Regularly ask yourself, "What have I not said?" and evaluate what would be helpful to share. - Dedicate time in 1-on-1s and meetings to recognize recent wins. - Express confidence in overcoming current challenges based on past resilience. - Proofread messages to prevent unnecessary stress. Careful communication from leaders can provide stability amid uncertainty, boosting engagement and performance. #leadership #communication #organizationalculture

Are you ready to navigate the AI landscape with confidence? 1. The push towards AI is unstoppable ↳ Is your organization prepared? 2. As a leader, your role isn't just to follow ↳ Are you ready to steer the ship safely through digital transformation. 💡 Ask the right questions, build robust frameworks, and embrace ethical AI practices. Every Board Director must consider: - How will AI reshape your organization's core goals? - What policies ensure AI enhances rather than disrupts your workflow? - And, crucially, how does AI fit within your risk management strategy? The answers will define the future of your business. So let's break it down: - Begin with the 'why' of AI. Understand its role in your vision. - Move to the 'how' — from policy to practice, every step matters. - End with the 'what if' — risks, regulations, and the ethical framework. Your move can be a masterstroke or a misstep. ✅ - Ignoring AI isn't an option; mastering it is a necessity. - A clear understanding of AI's impact is your competitive edge. - Your commitment to ethical AI will be your legacy. Ready to lead the change rather than just witness it? - Dive into these essential questions. - Equip yourself with knowledge to make informed AI decisions. - Foster a culture of innovation that's controlled, compliant, and conscious. 👉 Join the conversation below and share how AI is reshaping your role as a leader! #AI #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #BoardDirectors #Innovation