Diskussionspapier: Leadership Skills in the Digital Age - Report

This report, originally a discussion paper from the Institute for Organisational Economics, examines the evolving landscape of leadership in an increasingly digitalized work environment. The study employs a three-stage research design, beginning with the development of a conceptual framework to categorize leadership skills and their relation to tasks, management levels, and experience. Semi-structured interviews with executives and a systematic analysis of job advertisements were conducted to identify the skills most relevant in the digital age. The findings highlight the importance of communication, subject-specific knowledge, self-organization, and self-reflection skills, along with empathy and open-mindedness. The analysis of job advertisements further reveals the necessity for English proficiency, IT skills, and characteristics such as flexibility, motivation, and stress tolerance. The paper addresses the challenges of managing virtual teams, adapting to multigenerational workforces, and mitigating the risks of cyber-security. It underscores the potential of digital technologies to enhance collaboration and efficiency, emphasizing the crucial role of leaders in facilitating digital transformation by promoting cultural values and providing employees with the necessary digital know-how. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for leaders to establish mindful usage patterns of technology, balancing work and leisure to prevent work-nonwork conflicts.