As a final thought to this blog on IT social/cultural change, I would like to state that the paradigmatic shifts in technology are a major influence on those experienced in leadership. The latest paradigm of leadership theory focuses on the relationship between leaders and followers to influence change. Without a positive, motivating, and empowering approach to leadership, often termed transformational leadership, little may be accomplished to affect change in an organization. The process will more than likely be a slow and painful one with great resistance from followers. With regard to this, rapid improvements in technology place increasing pressure on the ability of leaders and followers to adapt to changes and move forward quickly.
Continuous advancements in technological processes, equipment, management, as well as creativity are imperative for a company to remain competitive and successful as we have discovered in class readings as well as through The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. It is as if leadership theory should specifically state somewhere that influencing followers to implement change will be significantly reduced without technology. Perhaps I should rephrase that and state that leaders should emphasize the importance of task completion via technology in an invigorating way to maintain a transformational leadership style. Without confusing anyone or myself for that matter, it may be time for a new paradigm of leadership to emerge. “The flattening of the world” is truly altering the traditional hierarchal concept of who a leader is. I contend that technology is establishing us all as leaders. We are leaders personally and/or professionally that must embrace technology and accept as well as become effective at dealing with societal/cultural change both locally and globally.
1 comment:
Technology has greatly changed our society even on a global level. We will continue to find technology influencing people's lives at earlier and earlier stages. Computer software companies have begun targeting a very young population.
As technology continues to change rapidly, people, especially leaders, will have to sift through the diverse mechanisms to determine which ones are worthwhile. Some inventions may do more harm than good. Technologies that can improve efficiency and productivity will have to be embraced to stay competitive in a global market. We must remember to do our jobs to the best of our ability, but also to form relationships with our co-workers and constituents as Friedman suggests. Jobs can be outsourced and companies can be moved offshore, but good leaders are essential to any organization or company no matter where they are located or what they are producing.
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