Looking back at 2023, it’s clear that the intersection of technology, sustainability, and human-centric approaches defines the new business era. The integration of AI in decision-making and governance, coupled with a strong focus on sustainable practices, reflects a shift towards a more responsible and technologically advanced business landscape.

The Digoshen blogposts of 2023 (also shared in majority on the blog pf Liselotte Engstam) collectively paint a picture of a business and leadership landscape undergoing profound transformation, driven by digital innovation, sustainability imperatives, and evolving governance models.

We explored the necessity for businesses to embed sustainable practices deeply into their strategies. This includes rethinking the path to a sustainable future and understanding the interplay between environmental responsibilities and organizational growth. In conjunction with this, the role of boards in navigating strategic decisions in changing environments is highlighted, emphasizing the need for agility, foresight, and innovative problem-solving in governance.

“Sustainability includes how you run your business, and my bottom line includes how you treat your people. Sustainability starts with your staff.” — Tom Douglas, chef, author, and talk show host.

The transformative power of AI emerged as a central topic. AI’s influence spans from enhancing creativity in the boardroom to disrupting traditional business models. This technological evolution goes hand-in-hand with a deeper understanding of customer insights, as seen in discussions with Google executives as Tina Daniels, reflecting a shift towards more consumer-centric and data-driven business strategies.

“In our business, we talk about emerging technologies and how they impact society. We’ve never seen a technology move as fast as AI has to impact society and technology. This is by far the fastest moving technology that we’ve ever tracked in terms of its impact and we’re just getting started.” – Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Accenture

Neuroscience in understanding human relationships and behavior is another approach underscores the increasing importance of psychological insights in enhancing customer experience and personalizing business offerings.

“Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don’t, instead trust is a pragmatic tangible, actionable asset that you can create.” – Stephen R Covey, Leadership Author

Leadership, particularly in the context of boardroom dynamics, and the integration of AI tools to assist in leadership decisions was explored. The importance of real-time leadership agility as advocated by experts like Harvard Professor Carol Kauffman, and the need for creative thinking to navigate complex dilemmas and long-term value creation.

Climate action and sustainability are not just corporate responsibilities but are seen as integral to the ethos of modern organizations. The call for climate action and the use of cultural narratives like Norse mythology to inspire skills development highlight the blend of traditional wisdom and modern innovation.

“Profit is the fuel that allows you to reach your destination, which is the purpose. Those ideas are interconnected, and if you get the balance off, you can potentially destroy both of them” – George Serafeim.

As we move into 2024, these trends in technology, sustainability, and human-centric approaches are expected to intensify. AI’s role in business will likely expand, demanding a balance between technological prowess and ethical governance. Sustainability will continue to be a key focus, with businesses expected to demonstrate impactful actions towards environmental and societal responsibilities. Leadership will need to evolve to manage rapid, complex changes, emphasizing creativity, strategic foresight, ethics, and agility.

Prepare for 2024

Guiding insights will be shared in the Board Programs, all recently updated and with Generative AI impacts included

Boards Oversight of Sustainability for Value Creation, starting January 9

Boards Oversight of Responsible AI for Value Creation, starting February 27

Open events for Board Members by Digoshen and by Boards Impact Forum, including the event on January 23 in collaboration with MIT on Digital Guardianship: Enhancing Board-Level Oversight for Cyber Resilience    

Follow Digoshen & Boards Impact Forum Advent Calendar building on The Inner Development Goals, the skills needed for a leader and board member to direct a Sustainable future

Blogposts during 2023

Our Blogposts during 2023 included

Rethinking a Sustainable Future: This post emphasized the importance of sustainable practices for businesses and leaders, stressing the need for a transformational approach to align with environmental and social responsibilities.

Boards’ Role in Strategy in a Changing Environment: The focus here was on how board members must adapt their strategies in response to dynamic global and market environments, emphasizing agility and foresight.

AI as a Service: This explored the disruptive and creative potentials of AI in various fields, including board work and art, highlighting AI’s growing influence in decision-making and creative processes.

Neuroscience and Digital Chemistry in Relationships: Centered on applying neuroscience and digital advancements to understand and enhance human relationships, particularly in the context of events like Valentine’s Day.

Customer Insights with Google Executive Ned Tina Daniels: Offered insights into evolving customer behavior and the importance of adapting business strategies to meet changing consumer needs and expectations.

Increasing Boardroom Creativity: Addressed the need for more creative thinking in boardrooms, proposing innovative approaches to governance and decision-making processes.

Board Governance Practices for Long-Term Value Creation: Discussed best practices in board governance aimed at ensuring sustainable and long-term value creation for organizations.

Announcement of Digoshen Chatbot AI Leadership for Boards: Introduced the launch of a new AI tool designed to assist board members in their leadership roles, showcasing the integration of AI in governance.

Guiding Real-Time Leadership with Harvard Professor Carol Kauffman: Featured insights from an expert on effective leadership, focusing on the challenges and strategies of leading in real-time, fast-paced environments.

Boards’ Strategic Reflections and Acting on Conflicting Dilemmas: Delved into how boards navigate complex, often conflicting strategic dilemmas, underlining the need for balanced and thoughtful decision-making.

A Call for Climate Action, Peace, and Thanksgiving: Emphasized the importance of global climate action and the role of gratitude and peace in fostering a sustainable future.

Skills in Advent Calendar Guided by Norse Mythology: Presented a unique approach to learning and developing skills, inspired by Norse mythology, emphasizing the value of cultural and historical perspectives in modern skill development.

About Digoshen

This blog post was originally shared at the blog of Digoshen   www.digoshen.com,  and the blog of the Digoshen founder www.liselotteengstam.com

At Digoshen, we work hard to increase #futureinsights and help remove #digitalblindspots and #sustainabilityblindspots. We believe that Companies, Boards, and Business Leadership Teams need to understand more about the future and the digital & sustainable world to fully leverage the potential when bringing their business into the digital & more sustainable age. If you are a board member, consider joining our international board network and master programs.

Welcome to also explore the Digoshen Chatbot on AI Leadership for Boards and Boards Impact Forum, where the Digoshen Founder is the Chair.

You will find more insights via Digoshen Website, and you are welcome to follow us on LinkedIn Digoshen @ Linkedinand twitter: @digoshen  and founder @liseeng