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Why Are Tech Leaders Going Back to School?

tech leaders back to school
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
  • Alvin Toffler (Future Shock)
Globalization, digitization, and technology are reducing the shelf life of skills. Dell Technologies Realize 2030 report states that 85% of the jobs in 2030 will be those that have not been invented as yet. As professionals rise in their careers, they need to tackle not only new experiences and opportunities but also new skills and specialties that can facilitate their future success. The tech leaders of today need to go back to school to stay in demand and have a competitive advantage. With technology being a cornerstone in every work domain, it is the IT leaders who are directly or indirectly becoming responsible for increasing productivity across business verticals. The CIO’s and IT Directors need to go back to school to develop a broader vision and delve into more strategic thinking. Below are the three skill sets which are imperative for today’s tech leaders –
  1. The Science of Strategy: To align themselves with the changing business environment, companies are restructuring their mode of operation. Leading IT companies are moving towards the agile model of working where senior leadership will have more hands-on work to do. TCS is already trying to shift to an agile model of working by 2020. IT departments are no longer working in seclusion and IT managers are actively collaborating with the design and leadership teams. They are not only project leaders but also a contributor to overall business processes. To come out of the technology mindset and develop a strategic perspective, the Tech leaders need to go to new age classrooms and brush up their skills.
  1. The Intricacies of Leadership: With increasing fluidity across departments and operations, the IT leaders need to think beyond projects and teams. They need to work towards carving their image of a global leader. They should be able to make their presence felt across offices and teams, and make impressions beyond their technical forte. The ability to encourage and inspire people, motivate and influence the top management is a skill that they should possess. They need to think out of the box and come with a strategic vision for the company’s growth.
  2. The Art of Innovation: Thinking and creating outside technology is becoming increasingly necessary for IT leaders. To effectively collaborate with leaders across platforms it is essential for them to think innovatively and advise on programs outside their domain. Their position, their importance in the company, depends on their grasp of both the workplace and marketplace. Besides, by augmenting knowledge on different subject matters, they can innovate tools for the success of their company.
Making a transition into a techno-business role is getting essential for middle and senior level IT management. Along with honing the existing IT skill sets, it is important to learn the art and science of management to thrive in this changing business model. To cater to this technology-driven leadership requirement, premium institutes like the Institute of Product Leadership have designed customized programs. These new age business schools are offering a unique learning experience. They are helping the IT leaders to carve their niche and take their career to the next level as the world is entering into the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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