Learning doesn't end when you complete your studies. Find out how to make the most of emerging technologies and lead with innovation.
As an experienced leader, you’ve seen your field transform… sometimes gradually, sometimes overnight. Now more than ever, staying open to new technology is not only key to staying relevant, but also a powerful way to influence your industry’s direction.
But adopting innovation at this stage of your career looks different. It’s not about chasing every new app or platform. It’s about making smart, strategic choices that align with your vision and values, and bringing others along with you.
Why it matters
Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, education, or policy, technology is reshaping how decisions are made, how teams collaborate, and how outcomes are measured. As a senior leader, your influence means you can champion meaningful change. That might mean:
The key is not to adopt tech for its own sake, but to create better outcomes—for your organisation, your team, and your wider community.
Three practical ways to lead innovation
1. Stay curious
As a leader, you don’t need to master every new technology, but staying curious helps you ask better questions and spot opportunities. Set aside time to read, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on digital trends in your field. And keep learning visible by sharing what you’re exploring and encouraging others to do the same.
Why it works: Curiosity keeps you open to change, helps you lead with insight, and sets a powerful example for others to follow.
2. Create a culture of experimentation
Give your team the confidence to try new tools or ways of working. This could mean trialling a new platform on a small project or encouraging team members to suggest digital improvements to everyday tasks. Back new ideas with support—not pressure—and treat early attempts as learning opportunities, not final solutions.
Why it works: When people feel safe to experiment, they’re more likely to come up with creative, practical solutions, and your organisation becomes more adaptable as a result.
3. Invest in digital upskilling
Offer regular chances for your team to learn about new technologies, whether through short courses, mentoring, or guest speakers. Focus on skills that make a real difference in their day-to-day roles, like using data tools, managing digital teams, or understanding online security.
Why it works: Confident, informed teams are more likely to adopt and make the most of new technologies, helping innovation take root at every level.
Final thoughts
Innovation doesn’t always mean making big, dramatic changes. Often, it starts with a mindset: being open to new ideas, encouraging others to explore, and knowing when to take a calculated step forward. As a senior leader, your experience gives you the insight to recognise which technologies truly add value and the influence to guide others through change with confidence.
By staying curious, supporting your teams, and leading with purpose, you’re not just adapting to the future—you’re helping shape it.
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