Shape
Shape encapsulates the insights from all of the previous pathways; Explore, Embed and Drive. It encourages consideration of how the ideas raised can be used to shape decisions and actions to have significant, positive impact for the sector. This pathway is for everyone, but especially for anyone responsible for making strategic decisions or leading organisations at a local, regional or national level (e.g. policy-makers, board-level leaders, chief executives, business owners, directors).
If you aren't sure you understand any of the content, jump back to the Drive pathway and use the resources there to develop your knowledge before carrying on.
The Shape Pathway
Step 1 - Developing a Digital Mindset
| Overview |
Adopting a digital mindset can be crucial when trying to lead your organisation towards a successful digital future. |
| Watch |
To explore what it means to have a digital mindset, watch the short video (44m 18s) included below: |
| Questions |
Having watched the video, has this changed what you think it means to have a digital mindset? Reflect on the key messages to challenge your own digital mindset. Consider your current ways of working, thinking and doing. |
| Further Resources |
Consider exploring the Digitally Enabled Workforce's Digital Mindset for Leaders page for more resources and future Digital Mindset sessions. |
Step 2 - Building a Digital Culture
| Overview |
Demonstrating innovative ways of working, thinking and doing can help to build a thriving digital culture in which your employees feel empowered to embrace technology. |
| Questions |
| Reflecting on the digital culture of your own organisation, what do you and other leaders already do to collectively lead your organisation towards a digital future? |
| Task |
Have a look at the questions in this resource which challenge and provoke digital ways of thinking. They have been developed for board-level leaders but can be used by any senior leader: Link: Questions for Boards Use these questions to initiate meaningful conversations with other senior leaders. Try to follow these conversations up with practical actions that will help develop the digital culture of your organisation. |
Step 3 - Digital Transformation Starts with the Workforce (New)
| Read |
Read the following article from CIO, which explores why many digital transformations fail when organisations do not invest in upskilling their workforce. The article highlights that technologies must be matched with learning, support and capability building if they are to deliver sustainable, positive impact. Link: Why digital transformation fails without an upskilled workforce | CIO |
| Questions |
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Step 4 - Digital Transformation
| Watch |
Watch the video featuring Professor Gerald C. Kane, Professor of Information Systems and Faculty Director at the Shea Center for Entrepreneurship, Carroll School of Management. The video and book, co-authored with colleagues from Deloitte and based on research with MIT Sloan Management Review, argue that digital disruption and transformation is not about technology itself - it’s about the organisational changes and leadership required to harness its power. Link: The Technology Fallacy: How People Are the Real Key to Digital Transformation |
| Reflect |
After watching, consider:
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Step 5 - Harnessing Data for Collective Impact
| Reflect |
| Start this step by considering how your organisation currently uses health, social care and social work data to improve services. Where are insights already driving better outcomes for people who access care? Where are the gaps? |
| Read |
Review the Executive Summary of the Sudlow Review. It calls for urgent transformation within the recommendations in how health and social care data is accessed and used, emphasising that the greatest benefits come from linking datasets across sectors. |
| Question |
| To what extent do you agree with the recommendations set out in the report? |
| Question |
| The findings in the review suggest that the most powerful insights come from linking different data sources together. What opportunities are there to work collaboratively with partner organisations across the sector to enhance the use of data? What steps can you take to enable these opportunities? |
What next?
You have now completed the Shape pathway.
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