Understanding digital leadership competencies to enhance collaboration in South African Banks

Abstract

Digitisation is changing the nature of work and transforming the nature of teamwork, it is therefore producing new implications for leadership. Organisations require leaders who can overcome challenges presented by digital transformation and drive collaboration to develop core competencies and competitive advantage. The purpose of this study was to explore which digital leadership competencies are utilised by leaders to influence and drive collaboration in the banking industry. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted on leaders in the banking sector. The data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with seventeen participants. The Competing Values Framework formed the basis of the study conducted. The findings that emerged were five main digital leadership competencies, including (1) Directing and Motivating, (2) Digital Management, (3) Monitoring, (4) Facilitating and Enabling, (5) Adaptability and Forward looking. The Framework of digital leadership competencies for collaboration consolidates these findings and provides a tool for leaders to assess progress and development. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a deeper understanding of how banks can prepare leaders for the digital age. The research emphasises the importance of digital leadership competencies that build flexibility, adaptability and forward-looking ability for the future of work.