Data is, in many ways, the DNA of organisational decision-making. But data does not always provide truth. It needs to be analysed and challenged. When someone lacks a digital mindset, they can accept data as gospel. Data is biased since biased humans gather and interpret data and build models that don't take potential risks from incomplete or misunderstood data into account. Remedies include:<ul><li>Embedding ethical or bias reviews into data.</li><li>Understanding how to present data. Too much or too little data cause people to draw the wrong conclusions.</li></ul>

Data is not truth

The rise of remote work is raising new questions, such as ensuring colleagues feel the presence of work-at-home employees when they're not in the same room. Workers must develop a digital presence.<ul><li>They need to understand the use of asynchronous communication.</li><li>When you mainly engage through digital tools, it's vital to introduce structured and unstructured time, so people engage in the non-work elements of their world, making people feel more connected.</li><li>Remote workers should be aware of the "Mutual Knowledge Problem", which is a lack of shared understanding of place, context, and emotion.</li></ul>

Creating a digital presence

Leaders can't be afraid of technology and data work. They need to understand how machines learn to lead their organisation. We need to see through the lens of technology, data, organisational design and change. Leaders need a new approach to data. For example:<ul><li>How do you collaborate successfully with machines?</li><li>An AI agent cannot accurately infer your intentions. It cannot communicate using colloquialisms and conventions from informal conversations.</li></ul>

Developing a digital mindset

Thanks to digital technology, business leaders have much more to learn and master to succeed in a modern organisation. To be successful in the digital age requires more than only acquiring digital technology skills. It requires you to think differently. Leaders need to:<ul><li>Understand the foundational principles of new technology such as coding, programming languages, scripts, algorithms, compiling, and machine language.</li><li>Be aware of the biases of artificial intelligence (AI).</li><li>Challenge how data was produced, who had access to it, and how well it represents behaviour.</li></ul>

Thriving in the digital age

You don't have to be a machine learning expert to manage a successful digital transformation. In fact, you only need 30 percent fluency in a handful of technical topics, say Tsedal Neeley and Paul Leonardi in their book, The Digital Mindset.

Thriving in the digital age

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