Maintworld Magazine 3/2021

LEADERSHIP
Triad of Change
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
A tsunami of new technology is reaching
the shore. The amazing and sometimes
complex technologies of cloud, mobile
CMMS, connected sensors, robotics, machine
learning, AR, VR, AI, digital twins,
and more, are creating excitement and
anxiety in equal measure.
Many companies are rushing to adopt
new technologies either out of excitement
or from fear of being ‘late to the
game’. Regardless of the motivation,
the rush to transform can result in ineffective
use of the new tech, selecting
the wrong technology for the need, and
bringing internal frustrations and confusion
to a boiling point.
Although I think digital transformation
will be slower than what others may
predict, I am confident that industry
will continue down this path of an everincreasing
digital ecosystem. So, this is
something we must come to terms with
and learn how to appropriately select the
right tech, offering the needed benefits,
which supports the goals of the business.
Alternatively, we must have the patience
and courage to wait. Not every cut requires
a ‘digital bandage’.
TECHNICAL SKILLS GAP
Although the skills gap has been talked
about for 20 years now, it unfortunately
remains a significant issue. Many companies
(especially in the United States)
are short on the skilled technical talent.
This issue raises its ugly head each shift
for some departments. Underskilled
labor is contributing to unsafe work and
working conditions, over-worked and
overburdened skilled staff, higher turnover,
lower quality work, lower productivity,
greater expense for quick training
and upskilling, and may more issues.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TRIAD
OF RAPID CHANGE.
The deficiency in technical skills is
being exacerbated by both the impact
of COVID-19 and the pressure digital
transformation is putting on the need for
newer types of skills like programming,
cyber security, and data science to name
just a few.
COVID-19
We can’t forget the global villain, COV-
ID-19, as much as we may try. It continues
to hurt our health, commercial
activity, work practices, and our feeling
of normality. This pernicious virus has
impacted work and job availability, work
schedules, work locations, and more.
Social and corporate policies are shifting
daily, which has the feeling of being
stopped at traffic lights on the highway.
The constant commercial stop-start
stutter is aggravating and seriously interrupting
our momentum.
Add the worry and uncertainty of
COVID, with the challenges and frustrations
of the skills gap and corporate
‘arms race’ for digital transformation, we
truly are finding ourselves in a triad of
constant and complex change.
How can leadership show us the
way to better times?
Change can be scary at the best of times.
With the coming together of the dramatic
change that’s taking place currently
it can be downright terrifying.
We are experiencing incredible levels of
overwhelming, complex, and uncertain
change in our lives. So, what can we do?
THIS IS A TIME FOR REAL LEADERSHIP
TO STEP UP.
Real leadership is the behavior directed
at providing service to others. I am not
referring to those with higher ranking
positions or titles, although I expect their
support here too. True leadership is by
the people for the people, and I truly believe
that it’s our own choice to lead.
As the world gets faster, more complex,
and more anxious, the appropriate response
is to slow down and to simplify. It’s
time to go back to basics, as foundational
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