CEO Today - September 2022

VISION & STRATEGY www.ceotodaymagazine.com 66 Digital Literacy Given the rapid digitisation of work, digital literacynowgoesbeyond turning on devices and using technology to communicate. In fact, if the basics are what we need to be able to navigate everyday life and do a job competently, understanding the potential of nextlevel technology trends like AI and the metaverse are what we need to really excel in the workplace. You don’t need to be a tech expert, but grasping the potential of technological change, and understanding how it will impact your work and life, are key skills for the CEO of the future. Those who can keep abreast of what is new and are open to implementing digital literacy training in their workplaces will see the benefits, including improved productivity and performance. Acting now to prioritise digital literacy and create a culture of lifelong learning will put your organisation in a great position to face the rapid transformation coming our way. Communication For years, the demand for people with good interpersonal and communication skills has been on the rise. Research by Harvard University found that, over a 30-year period, jobs requiring a high level of social interaction grew by 12 percentage points, whilst the number of less sociable jobs shrank. Being a good communicator as a CEO is key to clearly and precisely explaining decisions on behalf of the company, and in the age of remote work and new digital communication tools, it’s imperative we don’t let our communication skills slide. It’s important to recognise that we don’t all communicate in the same way. If you can identify your style and those of your peers, you’ll be better placed to tailor what you say to your audience. Active listening is also a huge part of good communication. Improving this skill requires you to filter out conversational distractions and focus on the speaker. This way, you’re engaging with what’s actually being said, rather than the conversation you think you’re having. Critical thinking New information appears every day, andwith the rise in fake news and social media filtered lives, not all of it is what it seems. Taking an active, independent approach to analysing the validity of the information we’re consuming, and how our biases influence us, enables better-informed decision-making. For this reason, I think critical thinking is one of the most vital soft skills to cultivate for future success. Whether it’s decisions about new contracts, teams, or office locations, critical thinkingwill help you figure out the right path for your organisation. It isn’t about making the quickest or easiest choice, but the right one for that specific situation or issue. Being curious and questioning the origins of data can also help improve your ability to think critically. Avoid taking everything at face value and remember that critical thinking is about being objective, not negative. Leadership A good leader is a bit like being a sports coach. You select strong players who perform different roles and shape them into one cohesive team, united behind a shared goal. Each person will bring their own unique skills and experiences, be motivated by different things, and have different working styles. Strong leaders embrace this, ensuring their people understand how their role and competencies contribute to the company’s vision, as well as giving them the autonomy to act on this along the way. Being a good leader draws on the ability to communicate, build teams, and think strategically. However, a key part of leadership is encouraging people to be the best they can be. As part of this, CEOs should look for potential, rather than simply judge “Humble people aren’t under the illusion that they’re the smartest person in the room. In fact, they’re the ones who are asking for feedback, listening to others, and ensuring that teams are built around the strengths and weaknesses of all their members. “

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