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Volume 2 – Issue 3 – September 2024: The Art of Leadership in Technological Transformation

The Art of Leadership in Technological Transformation

As the pace of technological advancement still accelerates, the role of leadership becomes even more critical in guiding organizations through the challenges and opportunities that arise. This issue of the Leadership BRIEFs underscore the evolving dynamics of leadership and management in fostering organizational resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Mark Wehde’s Leadership BRIEF on agile leadership illustrates how flexibility, collaboration, and responsiveness are reshaping management practices to foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability across industries. Jason Choi extends this concept into the realm of global supply chains, discussing the effectiveness of the System of Systems (SoS) approach in managing complexities and disruptions using digital technologies like AI and blockchain. Marc Schlichtner highlights the grassroots effort within Siemens Healthineers’ T-Club, demonstrating how informal, purpose-driven collaboration can drive cultural transformation and innovation. Lastly, Tariq Samad and Gus Gaynor discuss the career implications of choosing between management and technical tracks, emphasizing the importance of aligning career paths with personal passions and the need for broad business acumen and soft skills in technical roles.

The TEMS Leadership BRIEFS are a free membership benefit for all TEMS members. If you would like to contribute to the IEEE TEMS Leadership BRIEFS please contact me at sabine.baumann@ieee.org. I do hope this issue of the IEEE TEMS Leadership BRIEFS provides you with new ideas and actionable insights. You as a leader are responsible to prepare your team and organization for the future!

Sabine Baumann, Editor-in-Chief

In this Issue

Mark Wehde – Leading at Speed: The Power of Agile Leadership

Agile leadership is reshaping management practices across various industries by emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and responsiveness to navigate the complexities of modern business environments. This management style fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability, where leaders promote an environment supportive of continuous improvement and empowerment at all levels. In his Leadership BRIEF Mark Wehde shows that as organizations implement agile principles, they experience increased responsiveness, improved employee engagement, and greater innovation, effectively maintaining competitiveness and adaptability in rapidly changing markets.

Jason Choi – Digitizing Global Supply Chains: An SoS Approach to Overcoming Disruptions

In his Leadership BRIEF Jason Choi discusses the challenges and strategies in managing global supply chains using the System of Systems (SoS) approach, highlighting its relevance in today’s complex and disrupted environment. The SoS approach, recognized for its utility in systems engineering, is particularly effective for global supply chains due to their complexity and inherent unpredictability. It suggests aligning incentives, decentralizing control, and employing digital technologies like AI and blockchain to enhance responsiveness and risk management. This strategy ensures supply chains are not only more resilient but can also adapt and respond swiftly to disruptions, maintaining operational continuity amidst global uncertainties.

Marc Schlichtner Leadership Insights from the Siemens Healthineers T-Club: Navigating Cultural Transformation

The Transformers Club (T-Club) at Siemens Healthineers embodies a grassroots initiative to drive innovation and adaptability within technology-driven environments. Marc Schlichtner in his Leadership BRIEF showcases what began with a simple idea in a café and has now grown into a dynamic community of nearly 2,000 members who tackle challenges such as digital twinning and design thinking. T-Club promotes cross-functional collaboration, breaks down silos, and fosters continuous innovation, effectively addressing common organizational obstacles like resistance to change and innovation stagnation. This initiative demonstrates the transformative power of informal, purpose-driven collaboration in achieving sustained technological advancement.

Tariq Samad and Gus Gaynor – The Technical Track as a Career Option

Starting a career in engineering, science, or technology typically involves using your degree-specific knowledge in early roles. As you progress, you’ll decide between advancing in management or remaining a technical specialist. This choice isn’t permanent; many switch between the two paths. The Leadership BRIEF by Tariq Samad and Gus Gaynor emphasizes the technical track, where progression varies by company. Technical roles often have slower salary growth than managerial ones, but those passionate about deepening technical expertise without managing large teams might prefer this route, which also requires broad business knowledge and enhanced soft skills. It’s important to explore these options early in your career to make informed decisions later on.

Alexander Brem – Editor’s Picks Engineering Management Review (EMR)

EMR’s latest issue focuses on AI’s impact in a variety of fields such as product development, roadmapping in business schools, education, and evaluation techniques for AI-generated summaries. Additionally, the issue explores digital transformation strategies, organizational maturity, innovation management in the “new normal,” and advancements in supply chain and smart city technologies.

About the author

Sabine Baumann

About the Editor
Sabine Baumann is an award-winning and internationally recognized Professor of Management and Industrial Engineering, Scientific Director, Consultant, Author, Editor and Speaker. Her consulting and research areas are all interdisciplinary, involving either changes in business models due to new technologies or the strategic exploitation of platforms and digital business ecosystems. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-sabine-baumann-554a10b5/. Website: http://baumann.faculty.jade-hs.de/.

TEMS – 5 Focus Areas

Moving Product/Services from Idea to Market

Identifying and Implementing Successful Projects, and Systems

Integrating Technology for Capability and Productivity

Developing from Engineer to Leader

Balancing the Norms of Society, Government, and Regulators

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