We all know that Digital Transformations are a necessary application for existing businesses within the new economy. The greatest threat is no longer the hard and fast competition of a born-digital rival organization that has much more ease in the space and can scale with the right momentum and cash flow. It’s the paradigm of shared power, that rests in the hands of the consumer on how your business must not only function and compete, but also how they play within society as a whole.
For those unaware, Leadership PQ is a factor that has driven future growth business leaders to understand the need of ‘political intelligence’ (PQ) – a skill that equips them to build collaborative enterprises with governments and non-profit organizations. Politics being (from Greek: politikos, meaning “of, for, or relating to citizens”) that of influence of the whole.
What is Leadership PQ? PQ is traditionally defined as being “the leadership capacity to interact strategically in a world where government, business, and wider society share the power to shape the future in a global economy.”
Leadership PQ is part of the larger know group of Leadership Intelligence. Those are holistic approaches to leadership requiring knowledge, i.e. intelligence, in these other core areas: Physical (PQ); Intellectual (IQ); Emotional (EQ); and Spiritual (SQ).
Leadership PQ within the realm of digital transformation is paramount in the planning/roadmap phases. Meeting the consumers demand to determine what it is they actually want and tying this to business transformation processes that enable this need is quite difficult. The leaders of large Digital Transformation initiatives have two challenges in this realm. One, the internal influence in gaining a shared power paradigm with the employees of their own organizations before, during and after a digital business transformation. And two, communicating and establishing a shared power view for the community and societal benefits that will ensure support from your internal organization, your partners, impacted governments, and your consumers.
The stakeholders vary, but the concept is similar. It comes down to vision and the ability to influence people to buy into that vision
The question you are probably asking silently is why should you care at all, really? Well, if you look at the traditional power aspects that digital has brought to a halt, coupled with the immediacy of communication and empowerment of society and their ability to rapidly rally together for or against a cause, regardless of political or corporate, should be more than ample reasoning. Knowing that the customer is far more informed, has many more options at their disposal, and is actually conscious of their decision making/buying power has dictated that being just digital is no longer enough. Being a good corporate citizen and taking societal impacts (potential for the greater good — think Elon Musk and why he does what he does) into account, and make it a part of your business case within your transformation will pay dividends in the long run.
Just an opinion from a guy that has seen the landscape shift, and continues to do so more and more daily. I would love to hear your thoughts as well. And as always, let us know if we can assist you in your digital business transformation needs.
