Leaders share specific common characteristics. Mario Faria, Vice President, Gartner Research Board, speaks with Robert Lutton, Vice President, Sandhill Consultants, about the key traits of successful data leaders and the need to focus on customers.

Asked about the key concepts digital leaders should consider as they approach digital transformation, Faria says that he uncovered common characteristics by observing the behaviors of successful digital leaders.

The first is that data leaders act as the CEO of their own companies. “Even though they report to the CEO, they are part of a department. They see themselves as the CEO of the digital transformation initiatives; they take ownership,” Faria says.

The second is that they have a start-up mentality. They like to do things fast. “They learn as they go. They don’t do things perfectly on the first version. They improve through the next interaction. They have the idea of gaining market share and mindshare quickly. Successful leaders have to embrace that start-up mentality,” he says.

Faria then cites American author and consultant Geoffrey Moore who mapped four zones where companies operate — performance, productivity, incubation, and transformation.  He says that successful digital leaders focus on the information and transformational zones.

Successful digital leaders are focused on the information and transformation zones because that’s where they can contribute the most to their companies. They always think about customer experience, and customer experience is vital. Think about who is going to use the solution.

Next, Faria talks about the need for reliable partners to be able to cover the transformation journey successfully. 

“We are talking about a world that changes so fast that it’s a bit complicated. Nobody’s able to do that alone, not even leaders. So, find a network of partners and peers that you can rely on,” he concludes.