Embracing new technology and digital solutions is climbing ever higher on Norwegian leaders’ list of priorities. Until now, however, the focus has been more on the benefits the digital leap will bring than on how technological development will affect the skills required in the future. A new study reveals what role employees will play in the digital leap and what will be required of leaders for this effort to succeed. Automation in academic professions too
Until now, it has mainly been factory workers and others in manual occupations who have felt the effects of the technological shift. According to a study by SINTEF Digital, carried out on behalf of Akademikerne (the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations), highly educated professional groups such as engineers, economists and lawyers will also be affected by the future digitalisation of working life. The study shows that upcoming automation technology will make it possible to automate not only manual tasks but also tasks that require interpretation, analysis and decision-making. This way of digitally recreating human cognitive processes is called algorithmic automation. Such technology could help solve more complex problems, easing employees’ workload and freeing up time for other tasks. According to the study, then, the digital leap will affect far more parts of working life than previously assumed. Integrating and using such digital tools in everyday work, however, requires greater technological competence among both employees and leaders.
Continuous digital upskilling
If we are to make full use of the opportunities that automation opens up, greater demands will be placed on knowledge workers’ technological understanding. According to the study, the workers of the future must learn to collaborate with technology for it to increase the efficiency and quality of their work. Because technology quickly goes out of date, tomorrow’s employees and leaders must be prepared for continuous further education throughout their working lives to acquire the skills needed to keep pace with digitalisation. This will be demanding. Those of us with higher education, who are well practised at acquiring new knowledge, will therefore be in a stronger position than those who lack this capacity to learn. In this way, the study points to the importance of soft skills such as interdisciplinary competence, social intelligence and strong interpersonal skills for coming through the digitalisation process ahead.
What digital demands will be placed on tomorrow’s leaders?
In other words, tomorrow’s leaders will not be exempt from the need for technological competence either. Although they will still need business acumen and good communication skills, managers must also have the insight required to drive the digitalisation process in the company. They must be able to adapt the business to new technological solutions, both in day-to-day operations and in the overall business strategy. The SINTEF study reveals that frequent incremental technological improvements mean that tomorrow’s leaders must also act as a driving force for their employees. Through change management, managers must constantly encourage and inspire employees not only to embrace new technology and digital solutions, but to learn them. If, as a leader, you want to make sure your business not only keeps up but actively takes part in the digitalisation of the future, you must be able to balance the roles of motivator and enabler.
Even though companies will still depend on employees in the future, there will be strong demand for engaging and involved leaders who are committed to developing the interplay between technology, employees and the organisation. Having what it takes to become a good leader in the digital leap will become more demanding.
Both soft skills and logical competence and understanding are critical to success. If you do have this combination, however, you will be able to do very well.
