What does it take to be a leader in a fast-paced digital landscape?
These ever-changing times call for strong digital marketing leadership skills.
It is a must for leaders in this age to be equipped with a solid set of technology awareness that helps them understand, interact, and adapt to the rapid growth of organizations.
Here are 5 qualities every digital marketing leader must possess that will help them thrive and survive in the modern workplace.
1. PEOPLE-SAVVY
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Q. Adams, 6th U.S President
Even in the world of digital mania, your people skills, not technology, are what will drive your team to do its best. Remember, your employees are not robots. Making your entire staff and clients feel they matter is key to the success of your business.
For instance, behind a well-functioning restaurant are happy staff and crew. Satisfied workers are the most productive ones in the job. Even in the days of restaurant digital marketing where communication is often done via text messages, emails, and video calls, good leadership involves interacting well with employees.
Aim to be the kind of leader who makes people feel they are part of a team, not just a company. The human factor is just as crucial as profits and sales.
2. GREAT COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The art of communication has dramatically evolved over the years. Gone are the days where you can only communicate through fax, wired telephones, analog cell phones, and big, fat desktop computers. Despite the rapid changes that technological inventions may bring, constant communication must still flow smoothly within any kind of organization.
A digital marketing leader must learn to reach a wide community of people via the Internet. New digital tools make it easier for people to share business-related ideas and information. Emails, text messaging, phone calls, social media, webinars, and websites are highly effective channels where businesses can interact online. Keeping your communication lines open is now made easier through video calls and non-voice chats on popular video conferencing platforms such as Skype, Join.Me and Zoom are compatible with almost all kinds of devices. Project management software like Trello, Asana, and Wrike keep you updated with how things are going with your team even while you’re country-hopping or out spending a vacation with your family at the beach.
One of the most valuable skills you should master is the ability to convey need-to-know information in a clear-cut manner in the days of digital connection.
3. INNOVATIVE
As a digital marketing leader, your hunger for new ideas and improvements must be contagious!
Be an imagination mover. Innovative leaders are visionaries who are armed with a creative bone as well as flexibility.
Be warned though. You do not have to do everything all by yourself. Listen to what your employees tell you, observe how competitors go about their businesses, and find out what customers expect and demand. Sum it all up and create new pathways and fresh insights.
Lawrence Kurzius, a 16-year veteran of the famous kitchen ingredient McCormick mentioned, “We take the science of flavor very seriously. The whole industry looks to us to provide insight into what’s next.”
For instance, in restaurant digital marketing, your ideas must then link to positive business outcomes such as a boost in market performance, brand awareness, and reputation management.
4. FORWARD THINKING
In a rapidly changing environment, leadership is about thinking beyond current events and keeping a pulse on emerging innovations. Sensemaking can be impactful to your professional development, workplace management, and marketing efforts.
For instance, giant food businesses like McDonald’s and Burger King keep up with modern times by continuously updating what’s on their menu. These business tycoons have forward-thinking leaders geared for sudden changes in a cutthroat competition. They know and understand that digital marketing success means being ready to ride with changes 24/7.
Think about it like this: a forward-thinking attitude is your roadmap– it tells you which way you should go and what steps you can take in handling future relationships with customers, investors, business partners, and team members.
5. TECH LITERATE
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell
Imagine what it would be like to lead in front of people not knowing how things workaround. You do not have to be a tech expert to be a good digital marketing leader, though. However, it is a must that you learn basic techniques and methods so you can understand how things go about.
Effective digital marketing leadership requires new ways of working, communicating, and strategizing. One thing you should be well-informed about is the influence of social media, apps, and software on online marketing. You cannot fully embrace the advantages of digital technology if you are stuck with decades-old techniques and tools. Being in the know and keeping up with the latest digital marketing trends is the name of the game.
If you are guilty of being a “digital immigrant”, don’t fret. It’s never too late to start immersing yourself in the latest apps and software. Learn about current social media trends. Browse the internet and check out different websites on a daily basis.
If you want your business to take off, it is of utmost importance that you rise up from hardwired practices and beliefs. Rise above your competition by embracing new methods and jumping on new channels.
Riding the Digital Waves
Digital transformation can be both liberating and challenging. It is radically overhauling how business leaders think, feel, and act. The age of laptops, mobile phones, and tablets is a full-on game-changer for organizations.
To be a great digital marketing leader, it is essential to understand how to handle every aspect of business and how organizations operate using the current trends in digital technology.
You should be able to create a harmony of technology, people, and personal excellence to produce desired results.
What are leadership tips do you have there? Share the love and let Tulumi Digital Marketing know your ideas. Drop them in the comments!
