Technological Changes and Leadership Styles - Coursework Example

TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND LEADERSHIP STYLES By Location Technological Changes and Leadership Styles Introduction Technology is becoming one of the key driving forces in the 21st business world. The adoption of technology and the rapid technological waves that bring in innovations have increased competition in business. Initially, businesses exhibited an overwhelming effect because of the emerging technology. However, adopting technology and sustaining it within the workplace has become a challenge in the 21st century. Although technology presents numerous benefits to any organization, there is a need for proper implementation as well as critical aspects that need proper consideration if organizations are to reap maximum benefits from technology. Moreover, technology has served to increase competition in the business world compelling organizations to invest a lot in innovation as well as research and development. The fact that new technologies emerge rapidly, replacing the old technology only leaves many businesses in uncertainty. This paper will discuss how technology has proven a challenge in the 21st century, as well as the leadership styles that can help leaders deal with the technological challenges. The 20th century marked the emergence of numerous technological advancements. Towards the end of the century, technology had become a common aspect in many industries. The 21st century, only registers an increased impact of technology in the business world. The emergence of technology transformed the business front because it introduced numerous changes. The presence of machines reduced the demand for labour, but introduced new job positions (Eastman et al 2014, p. 460). Technology has presented new opportunities for individuals who are technologically perceptive while proving individuals without technological skills irrelevant in the job market. On the side of the organization, adopting new technologies requires a remarkable capital. The expenses associated with technology compel organizations to consider the type of technology they are willing to adopt. There are many suppliers in the market and business leaders have to identify the most efficient technology that can suit the organization’s needs. There are many times when adopting technology has proven too costly for many organizations. Whereas technology brings about numerous benefits to an organization, implementing new technologies may pose a great challenge for many organizations. This is especially the case when organizations need to implement information and technology software (Dasgupta, Sahay, & Gupta 2014, p. 127). Transforming an organization from the traditional operation to one that operates using the latest technologies may prove to be a great challenge. There are many setbacks involved in the implementation of new technologies in organizations. Many times organizations register a period of low productivity before the new technology can become operational (Lim, Stratopoulos, & Wirjanto 2013, p. 80). These challenges need leaders to make the right decisions of the adopted technology in conformity with the needs of the organization. Worth noting is the fact that technology has transformed the modern workplace. This has introduced new needs that leaders must address. The traditional workplace focused on occasional meetings, teamwork sessions, face-to-face communication, and physical offices. However, the modern workplace has changed immensely with the emergence of technology (Cakir 2012, p. 277). The introduction of virtual offices and new forms of communication makes it extremely difficult for leaders to exert control in the workplace. Some people are choosing to work at home in the modern day. There is limited direct communication because of systems that allow data sharing within the organization. There is limited time for face-to-face interactions between workmates. The fact that everything happens online has served to heighten communication problems within organizations. Only a few leaders anticipated these changes when they adopted the technology. It is proving extremely difficult to maintain a devoted workforce with the barriers brought forth by technology (Marzangou et al 2014, p. 6). This introduces the need for leaders to adopt new leadership styles that will enable them handle modern problems effectively. Evidently, it is a fact that technology has affected some workers negatively. Since technology makes things much easier, some workers become very lazy and are unwilling to devote themselves. The fact that they can work from any place only means that they do not report to work regularly. This poses an immense challenge to the management team as well as business executives. Maintaining remarkable performance in the organization becomes a difficult task for the leaders (Seljan 2011, p. 283). In addition, technology has brought about numerous devices such as iPhones and iPads. These devices destruct employees from their responsibilities and affect their concentration on a task. It is difficult for leaders to control the usage of such devices within the workplace. This means that, there is a remarkable percentage of working hours dedicated to communication devices. This has negative effects on the productivity of an organization. Leaders need to develop strategies of ensuring that employees remain competent and devoted despite their use of modern devices (Prakash 2014, p. 30). With emerging technologies, organizations face the compulsion of developing security systems in an effort to safeguard the organization’s data. People with malicious intentions can easily access the organizational data and use it to fulfil their malicious purposes. Moreover, the continued use of iPhones and laptops at the work place as well as at home without any security details exposes workplace data to unauthorized personnel. Therefore, emerging technology has compromised the privacy of organizations (Cakir 2012, p. 280). This has introduced new fears of cyber-attacks that result when hackers interfere with an organizations information system. Without doubt, it is expensive for an organization to ensure the safeguarding of data and that unauthorized personnel do not get access to such data. As highlighted above, new technologies are emerging every single day. This compels organizations to invest in an intelligent infrastructure as well as technological experts who can ensure that the organization moves at the same pace with new technologies. Since technology has introduced e-commerce and moved businesses to a virtual place, organizations have the pressure of hiring highly competent individuals with high–tech skills in an effort to ensure that the organization does not lag behind. Since organizations are operating in the physical place and virtual places, leaders have a double responsibility of ensuring that the organization runs smoothly. Without doubt, leaders need to adopt new leadership styles in an effort to ensure that their organizations prove successful despite the challenges brought about by new technology. In the next five years, it is evident that new technologies will emerge and leaders will have to handle the pressure of managing the workplace effectively despite such pressures (Avolio et al 2003, p. 290). Authentic leadership is one of the effective leadership models that can help leaders become successful in the technological era. Since authentic leadership places emphasis on people and relationships, leaders can ensure that they develop working relationships with employees. Authentic leaders exhibit a high level of self-awareness. Therefore, they can make the effort of reaching out to the employees and promoting face-to-face relationships and communication. This can maintain teamwork within the organization promoting efficiency. Moreover, authentic leaders have the potential to set examples for the employees (Choudhary, Akhtar, & Zaheer 2013, p. 437). If leaders exhibit a moderated use of technological devices at work, especially in the case of personal phones, then subordinates can easily follow. Authentic leaders should introduce the value of dedication and commitment while harnessing the potential benefits of technology. Developing a strong value system will enable authentic leaders to influence their subordinates effectively. Leaders also need to adopt a strategic leadership in order to be able to develop effective strategies that suit the company’s needs. There is a constant need for organizations to remain innovative because of the fast paced movement of technology. Leaders have the responsibility of determining the core competencies of the organization as well as the market needs and deciding upon the best strategies that can favour the organization. Some new technologies in the market may not present any benefits to the organization (Transforming leadership for success and sustainability: Leading todays industries into the future 2011, p. 19). Leaders need to understand the specific needs of the organization and develop strategies of adopting technologies that suit such needs. Worth noting is the fact that the availability of technology should not make employees relax. The technologies adopted by an organization should augment the skills and the expertise of the workforce. Strategic leadership should help leaders carry out analytical processes on the benefits of technology (de Waal & Sivro 2012, p. 173). Therefore, they should be able to manage the modern workplace effectively. Technology has changed the traditional workplace and introduced new leadership needs. It is only through strategic leadership that leaders can satisfy these new needs. They should develop strategies of promoting teamwork and increasing productivity. Moreover, strategic leaders should view themselves as coaches and mentors. They should offer beneficial advice to employees in the adoption and the use of technology (Rowe & Nejad 2009, p. 6). They should lead by example and understand how different technologies will affect the organizations performance. The implementation process of new technologies presents numerous setbacks. Unless leaders can strategize effectively, this may prove to be costly and time consuming. Conclusion Finally, leaders can merge strategic leadership with transformational leadership in order to communicate the organizations vision to the employees and ensure high motivational levels. The modern workforce needs high levels of motivation and transformational leaderships can ensure that leaders use their charisma to influence employees positively. Without doubt, technology has affected businesses in numerous ways. Leaders need to realize the emerging leadership needs and adopt the effective leadership styles in order to propel their organizations to success. As described above, authentic leadership and strategic leadership are some of the 21st century leadership models and theories that can prove effective. Transformational leadership can also have a positive impact on the 21st century businesses. 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