How Digital Leadership and Entrepreneurship Combine For Success

By

Theodore Henderson

The Wisdom Man

What is Digital Leadership, you ask? Simply stated, digital leadership is inspiring others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more in the digital age. John Quincy Adams said it very well, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”  

With the fast pacing of change in technology, such as automation, digital technology, nanotechnology, etc., leaders must embrace and deal with it. Otherwise, they will experience dramatic and massive failure of their leadership and business interests. We cannot deny that many giant industry leaders failed because they could not keep pace with technological changes and customer trends.   

For example, think about the likes of Sony Betamax, Microsoft Bob, Nintendo Virtual Boy, Microsoft Zune, Joost, etc. The question is, why were the leadership teams of these very successful companies not able to succeed with their products? Was it their leadership style relative to what is called a “technology trend?” And to cope with the fast pacing of world change, modern-day leaders are now into digital transformational leadership.

Visit our Recommended Business Tools page to review several excellent online business  & marketing applications.

This article tells us how transformational leadership is correlated with digital leadership. And how digital leadership relates to entrepreneurship.  

What is digital leadership?

Digital leadership is not only incorporating the skills of digital technology but rather the importance of transformational, entrepreneurial, and innovative thinking leadership skills.

Digital leadership complements digital culture along with digital competence.  The goal is to address the impact and role of digital entrepreneurship, tech leadership, business in the digital era, and the digital economy.  Or, as Eric Sheninger’s book puts it, “Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times.“

A digital leader can create a shared vision and connect internal and external business development. Thinking outside of the box or brainstorming new business possibilities solves a problem for digital-based results.

And as an innovative leader, a digital leader always looks for the possibility of improving not just the business but the people as well. Conceptualizing new ideas and creating challenges in the workplace for further development. And lastly, as a transformational leader, a digital leader adapts to changes in the situation and inspires the team to achieve the common goals.

So, the act of practicing what a digital leader is doing is Digital Leadership.

What is entrepreneurship?

By definition, entrepreneurship is the capacity and willingness to develop, organize, and manage a business venture along with any of its risks to make a profit. 

Therefore, entrepreneurship and digital leadership both play an essential role in the success of a business.

For a digital leader to become productive, as discussed above, they should have the skills of an entrepreneur. This is the ability to relate with all levels in the organization and customers. Both pointing towards organizing, managing, developing, and inspiring people in the business to achieve a common goal- profit.

Why is leadership connected to entrepreneurship?

This article enumerates some of the reasons why leadership is connected to entrepreneurship.

Leadership is making people think better, do better, to become better towards the success of the business. But, as you lead by example and mentoring, you also develop other leaders. In other words, a better team member-manager relationship creates a positive culture in the business.

Another is trust. Delegating the tasks to the team members develops self-confidence with them to finish the job well and so with problem-solving because a good entrepreneur collaborates with his employees to solve problems.

And lastly, excellent communication, a good leader conveys the vision to her or his employees, delegates tasks, and maintains relationships inside and outside the business. Thus, if an entrepreneur fails in his leadership, everything fails.

How to develop digital leadership for business and entrepreneur success?

According to experts, leaders are made not born. So, to develop digital leadership for the success of the business and entrepreneur, this article enumerates some characteristics of a good digital leader.  Leadership expert and author John Maxwell has an excellent book on the topic of “leaders are made not born” called Developing the Leader Within You 2.0.

An excellent digital leader has a “Transformational” point of view. Since the utmost goal of Digital leadership is the utilization of digital technology in the business. And this may often result in disruption due to continuous change in digital technology. Therefore, adaptation to changes is a significant factor for the success of the business.

An excellent digital leader faces challenges positively, inspired by challenges because he never gives up with problems.

This type of digital leader also learns from his or her mistakes.

Innovation is essential in digital leadership. A digital leader thinks that everything is possible if there is a clear vision of the goal.

Conclusion

Digital Competence

Understanding and knowing how to use digital devices, services, and applications in unique and complex contexts. 

The ability to keep informed of the rapid changes in technology. It includes the detailed knowledge and skills people need to use information and communication technologies in a pertinent way for their own purposes, both personal and professional. 

Digital competence involves the particular and critical use of electronic media for career, recreation, and communication. These proficiencies are related to intelligence and critical thinking, high-level data management skills, and well-developed communication skills. 

The use of computer systems to store, produce, retrieve, appraise, present, and transfer information. Also, the ability to communicate and engage in cooperative virtual networks. It requires a discerning and reflective attitude towards the data available and the responsible use of the interactive media. 

It is critical to developing the ability to effectively and logically use information technology.  All areas of your life are positively affected, such as employment, learning, self-development, and participation in society not just your business or career.  I’ve written several articles on this topic.  Two you may find useful are The 3 Key Benefits of Digital Leadership for Your Business and Digital Leadership and The Future of Work.

Visit our Recommended Business Tools page to review several excellent online business  & marketing applications.

About The Author

Theodore Henderson works with business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals on their business skills, marketing, and leadership strategies. He is an Amazon best-selling author, a Certified Career Coach, Business Skills & Leadership Coach, and a Certified Social Media Security Professional Powered by CompTIA.

–

Visit The Wisdom4Business Blog for the complimentary series on business startup and entrepreneurship.

Also, visit TheHealthyBusinessOwner.com for timely and useful tips and strategies for living a healthier lifestyle as an entrepreneur, business owner, or just plain busy professional.