Improving Your Impact and Leadership Quality in a Digital World

Have you heard? We're living in a digital world.

The transition from the in-person, face-to-face paradigm to glitchy digital connections is causing some concern across 'corporate America.' Many of my leadership clients (and me as well, at times) have resisted it.

The fact is that video conferences and social media networking events are here to stay. And, regardless of where you are in your leadership career, you can continue to improve your impact and refine your skills in this new environment.

Get an Honest Picture of Your Current Impact as a Leader

Any improvement you make is going to have to come from acute self-awareness. Think you can gauge your impact more naturally offline? Think again.

Your ability to assess yourself as an in-person leader came from years of practice. It's a different set of skills online. However, the path to attaining and refining those skills is similar.

You probably have trusted people in your leadership circle who can give you their perspective. You might want to do some reflection or take an inventory of your own performance. The important part is that you know where you are — so you can know where you're going.

Translate Analog Practices to Digital Worlds

Many people feel frustrated or even useless when faced with new communications technology. When that technology seems to take over in a very short amount of time, it amplifies those feelings.

Know that you're not alone. Other leaders have gone through this. What's more, there are certainly other members of your organization looking to you for guidance with their own digital challenges.

That's where one of your key opportunities appears. As you practice digital leadership, focusing on the areas where you need the most growth, stay alert to the possibility of other people going through the same thing. Together, guided by your same vision — the same vision that has always propelled you to success — you can develop as individuals and as a newly digital organization.

Understand How Culture Happens Online

Culture is how people know to do the right thing. It exists wherever people come together.

Culture is everywhere, even online. It's just that communicating and building it digitally happens differently than it does in our analog lives. 

Your culture doesn't have to change. However, it's important to accept that the mode of communication has changed.

There are challenges with any major shift. For example, you might feel like it's impossible to lead by example (one of the key techniques for reinforcing culture) when everything's online. Remember that it's not the task that's impossible — it's just that you'll need a different approach and different tools to make it happen.

Make the Best Play for the Lie of Your Ball

It's like golf. A club might be a good choice for one shot, but that certainly doesn't mean it will be good for the next one. You need to learn how to use all the clubs in your bag — and know when it's time to start bringing different ones to the course. You need to recognize and adapt to the reality of your situation if you want the biggest impact.

Leaders can and do set digital examples. They effectively communicate visions online. They build on their existing leadership skills to create new ones. You can, too. It takes some honest self-assessment and consistent, focused effort, but it's worth it in this rapidly digitizing world.

How are you continuing to improve and refine your skills in the new digital environment?