There is a real sense of urgency towards technological adoption at the moment, posing challenging new questions for leaders to face head-on. Questions like how can leaders deploy new systems without staff fearing for their jobs? And, even once new technology is integrated into an operation, what are the unintended consequences leaders must consider? Answers to these critical questions will vary, but one thing is for sure - it takes a strategic mind to plot a new course for an organisation.
A new, accelerating challenge for leaders
Dr Nicole Hartley from The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School says the uptake of AI, data integration, automation and robotics has accelerated at a much faster rate than expected during COVID-19.
"Where we are right now in this age of disruption is where we were supposed to be in about 5 years from predictions that I saw earlier this year," says Dr Hartley, who is the director of the UQ MBA program, which was ranked #1 worldwide for student quality in The Economist's 2021 international ranking.
"Leadership is under stress and this is only going to increase in the wake of the pandemic, coupled with other trends around automation and advancements in AI and machine learning."
High-profile board overhauls and scandals over recent months have put corporate Australia under heightened scrutiny. Dr Hartley shares her thoughts on how this might tie into technological mega-trends.
"I think what automation, and digitalisation in particular, gives us in this age is transparency and a much sharper focus on ethical behaviours and practices."
Dr Hartley is currently engaged in research into whether boards should have a member who is in charge of digital responsibility.
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A challenge at the forefront of organisations
"We're looking at how we can use data to help us inform better practices; to increase diversity including gender equality practices, and develop human-centred approaches to the increased adoption of advanced technologies.
"All these things are really rising to the forefront in boardrooms at the moment."
She says for now most companies are approaching these technological trends to gain competitive advantages, but the potential for unintended consequences - particularly around data privacy and protection - will become increasingly important.
"I think this is something that many companies haven't really had the opportunity to strategically embed yet - particularly in terms of the end-to-end streamlining of data privacy and the responsible use of data," she says.
"Responsible leadership and ethical data integration is something we're passionate about instilling in our MBA program."
"With the advanced adoption of AI and machine learning into numerous business functions, there are increasing questions that business leaders need to respond to. Where is our data coming from? Are our machines and robots able to integrate this data correctly? And how are we not biasing the data that we're giving them?"
Dr Hartley says no one person could have all the answers to these questions, but a strategic understanding allows you to better draw on the expertise of others and see the whole chessboard rather than just a few pieces.
The MBA that prepares leaders to tackle these challenges
Dr Hartley emphasises that the UQ MBA helps give leaders the skillsets to navigate these kinds of challenges and difficult questions under conditions of uncertainty by instilling in them a growth mindset that is well-informed, strategic and collaborative.
"A good MBA is one that gets people to ask questions," she says.
"The MBA experience should not only consist of absorbing knowledge in terms of frameworks or tools.
"From a leadership perspective, it will also help you ask the right questions of the right people and get into the right conversations, really learning to interrogate not only from an inquisitive and curious angle, but from a creative angle and importantly from a moral and ethical angle," she says.
Combined with a strong networking component with peers from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, the program challenges single-minded approaches to leadership and prepares graduates to succeed in these rapidly changing times.
The UQ MBA layers up learnings to give leaders a strategic-level understanding of what's at play within an organisation from logistics to marketing, finance, IT and innovation.
"The disruptions we are facing are going to be part of a big learning curve for a lot of people in business, particularly for those in leadership roles," she says.
"What we need to do is look at the ways in which AI and robotics can supplement and help workers in their roles. We need to focus on creating an environment where we enable others to tap into their creativity and human ingenuity.
Discover why the UQ MBA is #1 in QLD
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Originally published on Business News Australia