Leadership today demands more than just guiding a team; it’s about steering through the relentless waves of change with an eye for opportunity and the heart for doing things right.
According to author Eddie Turner, the key is a blend of digital acumen and humane adaptive prowess. Here’s how today’s leaders should consider the art of transformation and resilience in an ever-changing world.
Steering Digital Transformation with a Human Touch
Digital transformation goes beyond upgrading technology; it embodies a strategic shift demanding a human-centric approach. Leaders should support technological advancements and cultivate an environment where technology amplifies human potential.
Reflecting on his past career stops at places like Dell and General Electric, Turner noted, “Working in information technology, I saw the power of digital tools. But it was the human aspect, how we lead and influence, that really drove success.” His insight emphasizes the need for leaders to balance tech savvy with empathetic leadership, ensuring technology acts as a catalyst for human engagement rather than a replacement.
Anne Wojcicki’s tenure as CEO at 23andMe illustrates the delicate balance between technology’s promise and its human perils. While striving to democratize healthcare through genetic insights, the company faced a stark reality check in 2023 when a data breach compromised millions of customers’ privacy.
While still ongoing, this incident challenged the company’s ethos and highlighted the critical need for empathetic and ethical leadership. Wojcicki’s subsequent focus on bolstering data security and regaining public trust underscores leaders’ complex role in navigating technological advancements and their human repercussions.
The breach at 23andMe emphasizes a critical lesson: the human element must not be overlooked in the rush toward innovation. Technology should empower individuals, not expose them to risks or exploit them as employees, a point that Turner wholeheartedly agrees with.
Cultivating Adaptive Leadership
Every day as a leader is filled with uncertainty, requiring an adaptable and resilient leadership style. Adaptive leadership involves embracing uncertainty and being open to learning rather than having all the answers. As Turner said, “Adaptive leadership taught me the significance of navigating through uncharted territories, focusing on learning and evolving with the changing dynamics.”
Leaders must, therefore, be perpetual learners, ready to pivot strategies and embrace new challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
Going back a few years, an example of adaptive leadership in action is the story of Ursula Burns at Xerox.
When she took over as CEO in 2009, she was not only the first black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, but she also led the organization through a hugely transformative period, shifting its focus from traditional printing to digital services and document management.
Burns’ ability to foresee industry changes and steer Xerox towards new ventures while maintaining its core values of innovation and customer service exemplified adaptive leadership. Her approach was not just about altering business models but also about cultivating a culture that embraces change, illustrating the profound impact of leadership that is flexible, forward-thinking, and ready to learn from every situation.
As Turner pointed out, “The greatest problems we face have required adaptive solutions, not fixed or technical solutions.” Over his career, Turner recognized that adaptive leadership taught him the significance of navigating uncharted territories. He focused on learning and evolving with each situation’s changing dynamics, similar to Burns’ path at Xerox.
Adaptive Leadership Beyond Titles
As I have repeatedly emphasized, leadership goes beyond a title or position. It involves actively embodying influence, driving change, and fostering relationships.
Turner highlighted the profound effect of leadership that can transcend formal roles: “I’ve seen a lot of people who didn’t have a title just get up and do what needed to be done… And oftentimes, if you’ve done that enough and other people recognize it, you end up with that authority.” His insight underscores the essence of adaptive leadership — leading through action and influence, irrespective of one’s official role title.
An example is the story of Dr. Hawa Abdi, a Somali human rights activist and physician. Despite not holding a political position, Dr. Abdi (known as ‘Mama Hawa’) created a refuge for thousands following the outbreak of civil war in Somalia in 1991, providing medical care, food, and shelter on her family’s land.
Her de facto leadership amidst chaos showcased how authority can stem from moral conviction and actions rather than formal titles. Dr. Abdi’s initiative saved countless lives and demonstrated how transformative leadership could emerge from the courage to act in the face of adversity, embodying the principle of leading without formal authority.
Turner aptly addressed this point: “People need to recognize that their influence can extend beyond their formal authority. It’s about mobilizing people towards a common goal, even when you don’t have direct control over them.”
In sum, leadership today demands more than platitudes; it involves steering through change with vision and integrity, marrying digital acumen with humane adaptability. As Turner pointed out, the imperative is to lead not just with authority but with an acumen that resonates beyond titles while fostering resilience in the face of relentless change.
Watch the full interview with Eddie Turner and Dan Pontefract on the Leadership NOW program below, or listen to it on your favorite podcast.