DIGITAL LEADERSHIP AND CORPORATE CULTURE: WHAT CHALLENGES DO MANAGER ENCOUNTER AND HOW DIGITALITY INFLUENCES LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

This article presents a study that examines the link between digital leadership and corporate culture. Leading teams remotely pose new challenges for managers. For example, the lack of physical collaboration with employees can be a big impediment. The focus of this research paper is precisely on these challenges. It underlines and proves the relevance of digital leadership from the perspective of remote leadership. The extent to which leadership has changed against the background of digitality and the digital maturity of companies is examined. Digital maturity is clearly identifiable and measurable in a company and can be influenced by the leadership style of leaders and managers of different hierarchical levels within an organization. Using a practical example challenges that leaders and companies face will be verified within this empirical environment. At the same time, a methodology in the form of a workshop-format is introduced. It enables leaders and managers of different hierarchical levels to succeed in working digitally. At the same time an uniform understanding of values will be needed in order to shape a value based corporate culture. Not only the topic of changing leadership styles due to the digital age is addressed. A concrete practical reference presenting a tool and methodology that enables leaders to manage the challenges that remote leadership brings with it, is offered. The approach explored is adaptive. Meaning the concept can be applied to all types of companies and teams. A concrete practical use case proves the methodology against its applicability in practice. And abstracts the complexity that remote leadership and digital maturity entail to an understandable level. It therefore offers leaders of various hierarchical levels an opportunity to influence the culture within their teams. In this way, leaders and managers are able to significantly strengthen and positively influence the digital maturity of their companies.