Too many companies, even in 2025, still view digitalization as a technological upgrade. They modernize systems, automate processes, and restructure data. The strategic insight that technology alone doesn’t bring about change is often missing. It’s people who make it happen.
If you don’t put people at the center, you won’t change anything. You will digitize the status quo.
Transformation is still not an IT project
I’ve spoken with dozens of CEOs in recent years – from industrial corporations to high-growth technology companies. Almost all of them confirm the same bitter experience:
The most significant friction points arise not from technology but from cultural resistance, strategic overcommitment, and a lack of clarity in leadership.
Digital maturity doesn’t mean a company has implemented SAP, Salesforce, or AI platforms. It is demonstrated by whether employees are willing and able to take ownership of change – and whether management dares to trust them.
Real-world example
A European medium-sized manufacturing company wanted to improve efficiency through automation. The result: Technically, everything worked.
However, productivity declined because the team didn’t understand the change or see any role. Only a radical shift in perspective – from a top-down approach to a participatory model – brought about the turnaround.
The project wasn’t saved by tools but by leadership, communication, and active listening.
Leadership today means creating space, not just setting the direction
Many organizations have adopted agile methods but retained traditional control patterns. It is precisely where failure begins. Leadership in a digital world no longer means providing answers but enabling ownership.
A CEO who wants to transform their organization digitally must do two things above all else:
- Create clarity – about the why, not just the what
- Build trust – through genuine empowerment, not PowerPoint
As Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
I would add: “And it eats brilliant technology for lunch.”
Key takeaways
- Digital transformation is never a technical discipline; it is a leadership task.
- Employees are not resources; they help shape the future.
- Those who take transformation seriously don’t just put people at the center; they put them first.
Conclusion
It’s not the technology that’s changing your business.
It’s your employees – or no one.
The question isn’t: Which platform do you implement?
But instead: What ownership do you delegate?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice—it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.