Based on the job advertisements, it can be stated that in today’s modern working world, at least one digital competence is required to cope with the work accordingly. The requirements in terms of digital skills will increase even more rapidly and, if the various studies are to be believed, companies will have an acute shortage of digital skills in the coming years. Although Intel found in a recent study that Generation Z students have astonishing gaps in their knowledge on topics such as AI or cyber security at the time of graduation, the education system has yet to come up with concrete answers. Digitalisation will continue to change the world of work and companies should endeavour to close and further develop the digital gaps as a learning system.

This will also have an impact on managers, which raises the question of how much digital expertise a manager needs. If we understand digital competence as the ability to find one’s way in the information society, to learn and to move within it, then digital competence at management level is of even greater importance. Routine tasks are disappearing in a digitalised working world. Anything that can be digitalised and automated will be digitalised and automated, i.e. the networking of companies will increase and the relationship between man and machine will continue to change. Managers will be required to close the digital gaps in the company, which means that digital communication will be of great importance.

In addition to strong communication and cooperation skills, authenticity plays a decisive role in digital communication in order to further build trust with employees and maintain positive relationships with them. A holistic view supports the promotion of authenticity. A manager should also be able to clearly communicate the company’s values and goals in the digital world.

Digital communication is about showing personality. Personal stories and experiences support the communication of the core messages. This also includes sharing successes, failures and learning moments in order to be humanly approachable. The “doing” should be depicted in order to create emotions.

Other important factors in communication are:

  • Honesty and transparency
  • Personal language
  • Accept errors
  • Maintain consistency
  • Authenticity in difficult topics

By integrating these principles, managers can remain authentic in digital communication and maintain a connection with their teams. Authenticity is not only a key to individual success, but also serves to create a positive and trusting corporate culture. Self-reflection on your own communication not only creates a willingness to develop further, but also promotes the development of your own attitude and communication as key elements of successful and mindful leadership.