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 - Inclusive Digital Transformation Across Health and Social Care
| Overview |
As health and social care services continue adopting digital-first approaches, there is an increasing need to ensure digital transformation remains inclusive, accessible and person-centred. Digital confidence, trusted information, accessibility and health literacy can all influence how people engage with digital health and care services. |
| Read |
Read the “PIF Health and Digital Literacy Survey 2025/26 - Executive Summary” from the Patient Information Forum. The executive summary explores progress and challenges relating to health literacy, digital inclusion and digital-first services across health and social care organisations. It highlights concerns around digital exclusion, misinformation, equalities impacts and confidence in digital-first care, while also identifying leadership, trusted information and digital skills as important enablers of more inclusive digital health and social care services. Link: PIF Health and Digital Literacy Survey 2025/26 - Executive Summary |
Step 4 - Governing Data for Public Benefit (New)
| Overview |
Health and social care data can support research, service planning, innovation and improved outcomes. However, using this data responsibly requires clear decisions about who can access it, what purposes it can be used for and how public benefit will be demonstrated. Leaders must also consider public involvement, privacy, transparency and consent, ensuring human judgement and accountability remain central to data-informed decision-making. |
| Read |
Read pages 15-18 of the University of Edinburgh report Governing the Future: Recommendations from the Edinburgh Data and AI Exchange. Produced following the Data and AI Exchange, held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in March 2026, these pages explore public involvement, access to Scottish health data, consent, privacy, transparency, public benefit and the role of human judgement in data-informed decisions. Link: Data and AI Exchange | Artificial Intelligence | The University of Edinburgh Link to report: For Compressing Digital Ready - Recommendations from the Edinburgh Data and AI Exchange 2026 |
| Questions |
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| Task |
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Step 5 - Creating the Conditions for Innovation
| Overview |
Digital transformation is not simply about implementing new technologies; sustainable change relies on building the systems, partnerships and conditions needed to test, adopt and scale innovation effectively. As health and social care evolves, leadership, collaboration, service design and organisational culture are critical in determining whether innovation delivers meaningful impact. |
| Read |
Read the article “What Governments Can Learn from a Small Island’s Approach to Healthcare Innovation” from the National Health Executive which explores how the Isle of Man is creating conditions for health and social care innovation through leadership, collaboration and partnerships, while enabling new ideas to be tested and implemented in real-world settings. |
| Reflect |
The article highlights how the Isle of Man is taking a system‑wide approach to innovation, combining leadership, partnerships, service design and collaboration to enable scalable change. Consider the role you and the wider system play in creating the conditions for sustained transformation. |
What next?
You have now completed the Shape pathway.
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