Digital transformation is often discussed in terms of technology, infrastructure and
investment. Heidi Fraser-Krauss, Chief Executive of Jisc and a member of the Association’s
Competition Jury, has highlighted another essential element: leadership.
Following Jisc’s Digitally Empowered Executives higher education leadership summit,
Fraser-Krauss reflected on the challenges faced by executive leaders responsible for major
digital change.
The summit brought together university executives from across the United Kingdom and
included discussions, coaching conversations and a keynote focused on digital
transformation.
One of the central themes to emerge was that digital transformation is not simply a
technology programme. Successful transformation requires senior leaders to understand
organisational culture, communicate priorities effectively, create confidence among teams
and make decisions in an environment where technology continues to change rapidly.
Participants also discussed the value of creating opportunities for senior executives to
exchange experiences with peers. Digital leaders frequently face similar questions around
investment, organisational capability, emerging technologies and the management of change,
even when their institutions operate in different environments.
Jisc has subsequently continued developing resources and programmes designed to support
leaders responsible for digital transformation.
The discussion demonstrates the increasingly close relationship between leadership capability
and technological change. Organisations introducing new technologies must consider not
only the systems they deploy, but also the people, structures and leadership required to make
those systems effective.
Heidi Fraser-Krauss serves on the Competition Jury of the Association of Certified
Professionals in Leadership & Management.