People, culture and creativity are the powerful mantras for leaders in the digital era.

With change being the only constant, change, culture and leadership are the influential words for leaders to propel in their roles. Leadership has evolved tremendously in the last few decades. Leading in the digital world is a discomforting task for numerous leaders as most of us are very much comfortable operating under the conventional way of leadership.

Undoubtedly, this is fully or partially a new practice, especially in the new normal. At the moment, there is no option left for leaders but to empower themselves in the new environment and global challenges troubling the world.

The cultural aspect combined with creative leadership is an enormous challenge for all leadership and it’s inevitable. Creative leaders are honest, straight-forward, transparent and genuine, with congruence between presence, words, intention and actions.

These leaders tend to build an organizational culture that strongly cherishes and nurtures the ideas of others, eliminates barriers, and structures incentives to reinforce the desired change and goals. They also promote a positive culture, encourage innovation and involve all employees under their leadership.

Empowerment and encouragement are two important aspects of their leadership style. Cultural leaders have to establish, support and maintain a moral belief and the ability to route-around, confront and subvert authority as well as embrace diversity and inclusion in their approach.

For example, they have to introduce and continue with the Environment Social and Governance (ESG) pillars, social work, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). An integration of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depending on the nature of business as well as the ESG requirements are fundamental for cultural and creative leaders.

A strong culture of leadership promotes a good combination of key components in an organization, namely, business, people, profits and sustainability. The challenge is to create such leaders with the capacity to introduce and embrace these key leadership components in a day-to-day business, balancing profits and people.

Eliminating discriminations, under-represented parties and striking a balance among the key aspects of the business, people and process combined with creative culture are highly desired to ensure on-going success in organizations.

With the emergence of various technologies, such as the Gig-economy, Robotics, Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and, most importantly, the “work from anywhere” concept has alerted many leaders to change their leadership style moving forward for better business sustainability.

Being sensitive to global changes, namely the pandemic, culture, working atmosphere, technology advancement, innovation both in business and leadership as well as diversity and inclusion, elevates leaders and business to greater heights.

Both culture and creative leadership contribute significantly to the growth and transformation of the business. Creative leaders establish and materialize innovative solutions especially during business complexity and numerous change management processes.

As the world is changing rapidly, the business setting is gearing towards a strong need for creative solutions from leaders in both sustaining and elevating business to greater heights. Creative leaders have the tendency to discover new ways of operating and what really works, as well as combining a high degree of collaboration with various parties.

Leaders’ traits, creativity and culture, coupled with change management, are clearly tested during a crisis. A reputable and high calibre leader must be equipped with these competencies in managing the changes within them and externally in the digital era. Great strategy alone does not take leaders far. A combination of solid execution and bringing positive and significant changes, reaching the pinnacle and leaving a legacy in leadership make leadership more prevalent and meaningful.

Do not forget to lead by example and be a role model despite the challenges as a leader. People, culture and creativity are the powerful mantra for leaders in the digital era. And remember what Peter Drucker said … ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast.’

These elements, culture and creativity, are definitely not the only two success formulae, but neglecting these areas causes high damage for enterprises, particularly those operating at a global level, causing them to lose their grip to competitors as the whole world is rapidly integrated through technology and massive changes.

“I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.” Mahatma Gandhi.

Prakash Santhanam is a Situational Leadership, Blockchain, Meta NLP,  CIPD, DDI, Insights, Hogan and Harrison certified Talent Management Professional with over 10 years of global experience. Based in Kuala Lumpur, he is a resourceful talent partner in reshaping organizations leading towards global excellence in the talent management cycle, inclusive of selection, hiring, development, engagement, retention and digitalization.