| A ‘digitalized terrain awash in emerging technologies’
That’s how Gartner recently described today's business environment. While IT is leading the way with digital transformation, many executives are concerned about whether or not they have the in-house skills and talent to support these critical business transformation efforts. As a result, we’re seeing a growing emphasis on building digital fluency.
True digital fluency involves understanding the entire digital landscape and being able to appropriately and confidently select technology to solve a business problem. People who are digitally fluent know how to use digital technology, and they possess the key soft skills necessary to drive business functions.
How does your organization stack up? It’s important to design your digital fluency initiatives within the context of your current capabilities, strengths, and gaps. The IT Skill Builder platform, which you were introduced to in The TechLX, is a great place to start for evaluating workforce data, in-demand skills, and existing talent to get a clear picture of your digital readiness. It also includes a comprehensive library of microlearning modules that specifically target these areas, from “Managing Big Data in Your Organization” to “Creating a Customer Service Culture.”
Now’s the time to get serious about digital fluency! Let us know if you need help navigating this terrain. |
| | Spotlight on: Mentoring
Regardless of your age, experience, background, or skills, everyone can mentor and be mentored. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, admit that you don’t necessarily know it all, and be open to connecting with others — but the effort is more than worth it. Just listen to what TechLX participants and mentors have been saying about the impact of the mentoring component:
- “It was great to have a mentor to talk through career aspirations, road blocks, and situational examples.”
- “I was a mentor, and it was a great way to identify my own blind spots and further improve my leadership skills.”
- “It allows me to bounce ideas off an unbiased person and talk through situations where I may not be able to talk with anyone else.”
- “It was great to have access to such senior leaders...The match was really good, and I feel it added value and contributed to my development as a leader...Mentoring opportunities like this are priceless!”
Stepping Up Your Mentoring Game
In a recent article for The Enterprisers Project, I explored how both mentor and mentee can make the relationship work best. I had the opportunity to speak with two people who know first-hand what makes a mentoring relationship effective: Dollar Bank CIO Bill Fortwanger and Andy Bonelli, a senior IT manager at PPG, who were paired up as mentor and mentee in a Pittsburgh TechLX cohort. They’ve seen just how powerful the relationship can be for both sides of the equation.
No matter your role or position, you have an opportunity to be a mentor. Think about who could benefit from your experience and, likewise, what you could learn from someone who brings a fresh perspective to the table. Looking for a mentor yourself? Here are some ideas on how to find a great mentor.
What are your tips and advice for getting the most out of the mentoring relationship? We’d love to feature your insights in a future edition of the newsletter. Get in touch! |
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For the first time in five years, the word “digital” did not land within the top 20 hot leadership topics on DDI’s annual list. Why? “The answer seems obvious: Everything has become digital.” See what did make the list. Looking for some words of wisdom to inspire your leadership? In a recent Wall Street Journalfeature, technology executives from a variety of leading organizations shared their favorite reads of 2019, and the list covers the gamut, from fiction to management how-tos to tech manuals and even the musings of a Roman emperor. Find out what tech execs are reading for inspiration.
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Quick Links- Add your TechLX credentials to your LinkedIn profile: Mentors, graduates, and sponsors are encouraged to add their TechLX participation to their LinkedIn profiles to demonstrate their commitment to their continued growth as an IT leader and their support for strengthening the IT leadership community.
- Get social with us! Follow The TechLX on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on the latest in technology leadership trends and news.
- Share your tips, advice, ideas, and questions: Contact us at any time to contribute or with any questions.
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Upcoming Cohorts
The TechLX is taking off!
Don’t miss out—reserve space now in an upcoming cohort. We’re launching or coming soon to the following cities:
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| - Kansas City: January 2020
- Sydney Australia: February 2020
- St. Louis Cohort IV: March 2020
- Raleigh: March 2020
- Phoenix: March 2020
- Philadelphia: April 2020
- Atlanta: April 2020
- Southern California: May 2020
- Denver: June 2020
- Pittsburgh Advanced Cohort 1: Sept 2020
- Pittsburgh Cohort III: Sept 2020
- St. Louis Cohort V: Sept 2020
*Dates subject to shift based on demand in local markets.
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