Jump Back
Over the past seven weeks, we have had the privilege of sharing thought-provoking insights and predictions from our conversations with visionary leaders who are shaping the future of technology, transformation, and analytics.
We hope that their wisdom, might in some way, help inform your journey over the coming years. From our discussions together some key themes, in both technology and leadership, emerged – to sign off on this series, we gathered these, all-in-one place, just for you:
1. Generative AI as a Game-Changer
A consistent theme across the interviews is the transformative potential of Gen AI. Several of our leaders highlighted the profound impact that Gen AI will have on productivity, noting its value in automating mundane tasks and enabling talent to focus on more engaging, value-adding work.
2. Building Data Infrastructure and Democratising Data Access
Developing scalable and efficient data infrastructure remains a critical factor for organisations looking to leverage data science and analytics. Many companies are enhancing their data warehouses and implementing tools that allow teams to perform self-service analytics. This shift toward data democratisation ensures that insights are accessible throughout the business, empowering employees at all levels to make data-driven decisions.
3. Leadership Approach to Transformation
Successful leadership in transformation requires more than just implementing new technology; it also involves managing the cultural shift within organisations, establishing a culture of constant change. Furthermore, leaders must ensure that both technology and business functions are aligned. This is especially critical in areas like finance transformation, where balancing day-to-day operations with large-scale changes requires a dedicated focus on change management. Several of our Leaders highlighted that change management and culture can be the determining factor in whether a transformation succeeds or fails.
4. The Evolving Skillset of a Technology Professional
While technical skills remain important, soft skills are increasingly becoming a key differentiator in both data science and transformation roles. Communication, collaboration, and adaptability are critical, especially as AI and automation simplify the technical aspects of tasks. Technology talent needs to be able to translate complex insights into actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
5. Ethical Considerations and Governance
As AI continues to integrate into more areas of business, ethical considerations around data privacy, sustainability, and governance are becoming increasingly important. Companies are focusing on implementing strong governance frameworks to ensure AI is used responsibly and in compliance with evolving regulations.
How can I be a successful Leader in Technology?
Our Leaders shared several pieces of advice for those looking to succeed in data science or leadership roles in transformative organisations:
- Develop Soft Skills: As technologies like Gen AI simplify technical tasks, relying solely on your technical expertise is no longer enough to progress up the career ladder. Communication, business acumen, and relationship building are essential to succeed in today’s data-driven business landscape.
- Embrace Change: Constant transformation is the new norm – be comfortable in an environment of evolution.
- Be Agile and Adaptable: Staying informed and interested in the latest AI developments and testing new technologies are essential for long-term career success. Be willing and open-minded to try new tools and approaches.
- Get a Mentor: There is no single linear path to becoming a leader. Listening to leaders you admire and taking on board their advice and wisdom will help guide you on your career journey.
You can read all of our Leaders in Technology conversations here>>>
Want more insights and advice?
Our dedicated Barden team is where professionals go to, in Ireland, before they start looking for a job. And where leaders go before they start looking for talent! In Barden, we understand that each professional, team, role, and requirement is unique. Our approach is people first, supported by real-time data insights. Reach out to me at ed.heffernan@barden.ie and we can take it from there. Simple.