In my years as a technical instructor, contributor, and consultant, I've found that technology adoption is no longer just a matter of installing new tools. In fact, it never was.
Instead, it is about transforming mindsets, workflows, and entire organisational cultures.
It may pain many of my students - all IT professionals - to admit that knowing the ins and outs of technical implementation is not enough. It is the leaders who rise from our ranks that help ensure technology adoption truly sticks.
That’s why effective leadership training for IT managers is crucial. The key is simplified, targeted, measurable leadership development that ties back to tangible business outcomes.
And where do you access leadership training in New Zealand? You can turn to Lumify Work (formerly Auldhouse).
Leadership Training and the Human Side of Tech Adoption
Tech initiatives often fail not because the tools are flawed, but because people resist change. A look at the top gaps to address with leadership skills training courses supports this. Read more: People Skills and Professional Development Training
The 2024 LEADx Leadership Development Benchmark Report found that the three most in-demand skills all relate to dealing with people:
Coaching Skills for Managers
Leading Change
Feedback
Business and technology leaders play a critical role in bridging these gaps. When equipped with skills through proper leadership training classes, they can:
Communicate the “why” behind the change. Employees, especially non-technical ones, are more likely to embrace new systems when they understand how it benefits them and the organisation. Those with communication and leadership training know how to craft and deliver compelling narratives around digital transformation. Read more: How to improve communication skills in the workplace: Training advice for professionals
Model digital behaviours. Leaders who actively use and advocate for new technologies set the tone for their teams. Leadership training helps them build confidence in using digital tools and encourages a culture of experimentation.
Navigate resistance with empathy. Change can be uncomfortable. Trained leaders learn how to actively listen, address concerns, and guide teams through uncertainty—turning resistance into resilience.
Leadership Training Boosts Your Enablers of Innovation
Not everyone is a natural-born leader. However, there are those with technical backgrounds who have the potential to use their voices, set a clear vision, and drive change.
Modern leadership training in New Zealand goes beyond soft skills. It empowers emerging leaders to:
Understand the strategic value of technology. From AI to cloud platforms, leaders must grasp how tech aligns with business goals. Leadership training boosts skills in making informed decisions and championing innovation.
Collaborate across functions. Technology adoption often spans departments. Collaborative leadership training equips one with skills that can break down silos and drive unified efforts across their organisations.
Foster a learning culture. When leaders prioritise continuous learning, teams follow suit. This mindset helps keep pace with evolving technology and stay competitive.
The Real-World Impact of Leadership Training: From Vision to Execution
When leadership skills training courses are practical, they can create real impact and drive technology adoption.
Consider a company rolling out new AI solutions, such as CoPilot. Maybe you're implementing a new enterprise security platform, such as Microsoft Defender for Cloud, or a new enterprise platform, such as Microsoft Purview or ServiceNow. Trained leaders can guide change, set expectations, and support their team. So, technology adoption becomes a shared journey.
In sectors such as construction, healthcare, finance, and government, where compliance and precision are crucial, trained leaders ensure that technology adoption is done successfully and responsibly.
Lumify Work customers can attest to the positive effect of leadership training in New Zealand. Courses can empower individual students and their organisations through their digital transformation.
Leadership training not only adds value to our business but benefits the individual. No matter what industry you end up in, this kind of training will take your career further – especially given the shortage of candidates with well-developed soft skills at the management level.
While leadership comes naturally to some people, many need help developing or refining their skills. It's exciting to see our people grow – training has been a real game changer for them and us.
The feedback from both the junior and senior groups throughout the programme was excellent. They were all very excited about the training and took away some valuable learnings.
- Paul T. , CEO - Taggart Earthmoving
Access Leadership Training for Successful Digital Transformation
Leadership training programs are a strategic investment. They transform leaders into change agents who can champion digital transformation, build trust and alignment and drive measurable outcomes.
Those who thrive will be those who combine vision with digital fluency—and who know that successful technology adoption starts with people.
Lumify Work offers a range of professional development training. We can design leadership training programs in New Zealand to meet your specific needs. These include Coaching and Mentoring [NZPD], Supervising Others [NZPD], Leadership Development [NZPD] and Performance Management and Appraisals [NZPD].
ENS's negotiation training has helped technical leaders build influencing skills.
APMG offers courses on building better business cases.
Through Nexacu, you can access simplified leadership coaching training. These include Managing the Virtual Workplace, Anger Management and Negotiation (WAMN) and Building Resilience (WBR).
