Communicating to succeed: IT decision-makers need soft skills

As workplaces move to permanent hybrid work models, IT leaders must be more vigilant about sharing the right information with stakeholders and increasingly dispersed teams. As a result of this new reality, IT decision-makers are becoming more important than ever before. Recent data revealed that 80% of IT decision-makers are evaluating and recommending technology solutions compared to fewer than 40% of business decision-makers. This makes the IT leader an organisation’s primary influence and gatekeeper on technology purchases.

In line with their increasing importance, the skills required to be successful in this role are also evolving.

In addition to technical expertise, IT leaders now need to have a range of soft skills, including communication, which allow them to build relationships with stakeholders, raise business needs and weaknesses, and voice relevant changing market trends. Communication is crucial to an IT leader’s role, especially in an increasingly hybrid workplace.

Below are a few examples of how communication can transform the role of IT leaders.

Effective communication requires employee feedback

Technology trends are quickly evolving, and businesses now have to consider new technology categories, relationships, and product types when deciding where to focus their market spend.

However, most business leaders don’t have the insight needed to make these decisions.

As primary technology influencers, IT decision-makers have to be the ones to make these calls. To do so, they must have a deep understanding of the organisation’s needs, which can often be understood through business objectives, as well as employee feedback.

Employee feedback is critical during the decision-making process because knowing what technology is needed and utilised can help IT leaders align business objectives to employee needs. IT leaders need to have an open dialogue with employees to understand what processes and tech are currently helping them succeed at their roles and which are hindering them. They are then able to work with other departments, such as procurement, and ensure that budget is invested in the necessary areas. By incorporating employee feedback into the software purchasing process, IT teams can play an important role in the operational efficiency of a business.

Communication builds strategies

Alongside identifying technology needed by employees within a company, communication allows IT leaders to have a seat at the table when building strategies and growth plans. Technology is constantly evolving, and IT leaders need to keep up to date with changes to identify future opportunities for growth. By reading tech blogs, following thought leaders on social media, signing up for relevant newsletters and attending expos, conferences and conventions, leaders can identify new opportunities for the organisation and ensure it remains competitive.

Once they have identified these evolving areas, IT leaders must be able to communicate the importance of existing IT systems and processes. To do so, they need to explain to other departments and members of the C-Suite why specific policies and procedures are in place and how they benefit the organisation, as well as areas where technology can be introduced or upgraded.

Making the importance of tech known through clear and simple communication will allow IT leaders to have a say in crafting strategies for business growth and development, guiding business leaders along the right path to becoming more digitised and dynamic as a company.

Soft skills tighten security measures

Alongside new technologies come new security risks, and communication is critical in reducing these.

The rapid adoption of cloud-based services and the consumerisation of information technology has made a wider range of users comfortable downloading and using cloud services. With sanctioned technology use, such as shadow IT, becoming increasingly common, it is essential that IT leaders can communicate the risks associated with these practices.

By building strong relationships with employees and other stakeholders, IT leaders can help create a culture of security that reduces the risk of data breaches and security incidents. Colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors can facilitate the exchange of information and insights on potential threats and vulnerabilities.

IT leaders can leverage their communication skills and establish trust and credibility by proactively providing regular updates on security measures. By sharing a constant stream of information, leaders can promote a culture of security awareness and encourage employees to protect the organisation's information assets.

By building relationships and communicating, IT leaders can identify and mitigate security risks more effectively, ensuring an organisation's long-term security and success.

Embracing change will be central to future IT decision-makers

Technologies can transform how businesses operate, offering new opportunities for collaboration, simulations, digital twins, and business-to-consumer marketing.

As this landscape continues to evolve, IT leaders need to be able to communicate these changes effectively and build relationships with stakeholders, navigating them through an increasingly digitised world. Through communication, IT leaders can help the organisation to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.