4 Skills and abilities that managers will need for digitalization in the future

What skills are important for managers in the digital world?

The role of managers will soon change dramatically. Not only new technologies, digitalization, digital transformation or other topics will occupy them, but also their own development. We show which role managers will have to take on in the future and which skills are needed in the digital world.

No matter what sector of the industry you are currently looking at, everywhere new jobs are being advertised and completely new job profiles posted online. But few actually know what makes a good manager of the digital future and where the opportunities lie. Especially when it comes to digitalization and digital transformation, the right leaders and managers are needed. But in addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, they need a completely new set of skills to lead the company into the future.

So it is not surprising that the right managers in the digitalization process are the coaches of the employees, constantly adapting their skills and learning new things, but also acting as role models in the digital transformation. Agility is increasingly in demand as digital leaders adapt quickly, learn new technologies quickly and listen closely to change and digital trends.

The changing role of managers in the digital future

The future is still elusive for many and for far too many still far beyond the horizon. Of course not all companies will adapt as fast as Uber, Facebook, Google etc. but it is important to know that change is coming and for some it is coming very fast.

Many industries will evolve along with their competitors and their environment, some will need an abrupt change, otherwise they will be displaced (cab entrepreneur in the example of Uber). These external factors will ultimately determine the speed at which the mass of companies will adapt. But no matter how industries develop, the spearhead of the workers must adapt to the changes faster, otherwise there will be no skills needed for change at all.

To change the industries and the world of tomorrow you have to invest now and these 4 fields are the most important for managers of the future.

Leader instead of Manager

There is often a discussion about how to lead teams in the future. In this particular area, the leader is in the spotlight because he networks, shows visions and picks up the team instead of commanding, controlling and strictly implementing them. Agile structures and new working environments are no longer suitable for many traditional forms of management. As a result, managers must increasingly get used to these flat hierarchies, agile environments and short-term teams. This requires a focus on the vision and also coaching the teams as a role model.

4 key skills of managers for digitization and its future

1. Technical affinity

No matter which areas you look at. Everything requires technical know-how by now. Thus, professions in marketing, sales or even management are increasingly connected with technical tools. Apps, social, mobile and many other trends are represented in all professions. These have to be learned and there is no room left to avoid technology. This is the basis for every job of the future and you have to be aware that this means a lifelong learning and adaptation to new technologies.

2. Data affinity

Great managers trust their gut feeling and make decisions. Last but not least, data analysis can lead to inconsistencies, missing data or other problems. Nevertheless, a good basic understanding of data, data analysis or even skepticism about the data is important. Managers of the future should have an understanding of how to use data, be able to differentiate between trustworthy and useless data, but also be able to use this data specifically for their decisions.

3. Agile and flexible working method

When it comes to the future of the world of work, managers are in particular demand. Automation and artificial intelligence will increasingly focus on innovation, infrastructure modernization but also on strategic execution. Managers will increasingly become coaches and mentors within project teams and ensure that many different projects from a wide range of areas are successfully implemented.

4. Networking and Social- /Soft- Skills

By reducing jobs through automation, hierarchies become flatter and organizations more compressed. This leads to functions becoming more vertical and less horizontal in their own function. As a result, managers are increasingly becoming the organizers of teams from all the various ranks. So it helps to have good knowledge of human nature. Professional qualifications are becoming more and more important because it becomes more important to have a good network and to be able to lead people efficiently. So the leader himself is obliged to be a good example for flexible working and to connect the specialists so that an optimal result can be achieved in the team.

Benjamin Talin, a serial entrepreneur since the age of 13, is the founder and CEO of MoreThanDigital, a global initiative providing access to topics of the future. As an influential keynote speaker, he shares insights on innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and has advised governments, EU commissions, and ministries on education, innovation, economic development, and digitalization. With over 400 publications, 200 international keynotes, and numerous awards, Benjamin is dedicated to changing the status quo through technology and innovation. #bethechange Stay tuned for MoreThanDigital Insights - Coming soon!

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