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
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. |
Step 2 - Building a Digital Culture
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 – A Good Digital Strategy
A good digital strategy can help to clarify your digital priorities and inspire your staff to transform services.
| Read |
In this article, one senior leader reflects on her experience of developing a digital strategy. Although written from the perspective of an NHS England Director, the advice included is helpful for any type of organisation: |
| Task |
Think about how your own organisation's digital priorities are communicated to your workforce. In the article, Gill stresses the importance of considering strategic direction from the point of view of a staff member.
Does your organisation have a digital strategy?
|
Step 4 – Shaping Digitally Inclusive Services
| Read |
Audit Scotland have looked at how well the public sector in Scotland are tackling digital exclusion and what more could be done. Read through their findings in this report: |
| Task |
As part of this report, Audit Scotland have produced a set of questions which aim to help public bodies, their board members, and elected members scrutinise the progress they are making and plan improvements that can help develop inclusive digital services. Work through the template and answer the questions: Link: Supplement 1. Enabling digital inclusion Where you have noted that you have further questions, what practical steps can you take to follow these up? |
Step 5 – Innovating and Improving
| Question |
Reflecting on what you have learnt throughout the pathways, what do you think are the biggest opportunities to innovate and improve within your own organisation and across your sector? |
| Listen & Questions |
You might be hearing lots about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform ways of working. How much do you know about AI already, and how do you feel about it's use in health and social care? This BBC Sounds podcast (28m 34s) explores examples of how AI can be used to support independence in later life (you may be required to create/use a free BBC Sounds account to listen): Link: The Artificial Human: Can AI look after me in old age?
|
| Task |
For the innovative opportunities you identified at the start of this step, think about what you can do to progress these. Is further research required? Do you need to engage colleagues? Can you start to plan practical actions? |
What next?
You have now completed the Shape pathway.
Pathway Update Notifications
You can access this Pathways Update Notifications Form to register to receive email notifications when pathway content is updated or new resources are added.
Feedback
Use this Feedback Form to share any comments or questions you have about the pathway. You can also use this form if you spot that any of the links aren’t working, or the resources aren’t available.
