Key to success: Integration of digital immigrants

In the meantime, when we hear the word "digitalization," we think of Pokémon-hunting teenagers who have redefined the seemingly lost hunting instinct of early humans for themselves. This trend of mixing the real world with digitally generated additional objects divides opinions. On one hand, this trend generates massive enthusiasm, but on the other hand, it pushes many people to their limits. All forward-thinking companies have by now realized that they will become extinct without digitalization, making a digital cultural shift inevitable. The advantages of digitalization are clear: increased efficiency, innovation, better products, and even better customer service. This all makes sense, and everyone is aware of the necessity of digital transformation. However, digital transformation also entails massive changes. And we all know how people react to change, right? It is the fear of change that leads to people feeling unsettled, building unconscious resistance, and ultimately tensing up. The motto is "Quick, quick, at any cost!" This means that successful virtues such as perfection, precision, and planning security should be thrown overboard to be agile enough to navigate around the iceberg of rigidity and avoid certain downfall. Especially the people of the generation of the German economic miracle, the generation that made "Made in Germany" a worldwide quality seal. The generation that stands for stability, sustainability, and precision, and has built traditional and successful companies on these values. People of that generation are now referred to as "digital immigrants." In other words, individuals who did not grow up with digital technologies but learned about them in adulthood. Essentially, they are the immigrants of the new digital world. And who wants to be labeled as an immigrant in today's world? Those "immigrants" who once made analog phone calls and have now succumbed to smartphones. Those "immigrants" who grew up with the Commodore 64 and now swipe on tablets. Those "immigrants" who used to travel with a physical map and now blindly follow their navigation system. Those "immigrants" who were content with ARD and ZDF as evening programs and now struggle to decide on the right program with the abundance of "Apple TV" and "Netflix." Those "immigrants" who used to bring their bank transfer slips to the bank in person and now manage all their finances through online banking. Do these "immigrants" fear digitalization and agility, even closing themselves off from change? We believe that digitalization can be implemented even better if leaders and employees are relieved of their fear and pressure. The desired cultural shift will only take place when everyone becomes aware of their ability to be flexible. This means not always taking virtues too seriously, freeing oneself from the urge to "always be perfect." Following the motto: "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Only those who act with composure can be creative and innovative, mastering new challenges. Only those who see opportunities in change will be able to meet the demands of the future. Take a deep breath and lean back. Because there is one thing that cannot be replaced by "digitalization," something that cannot be streamed or downloaded: your wealth of experience! The ability to overcome crises, tackle changes, and master difficult situations. Your ability to redefine yourself when circumstances require it. These unique skills and talents that you have proven time and time again throughout your life. We even believe that the combination of tradition and innovation is the perfect recipe for success in the future. Keep your virtue of enjoying the small things in life and do not feel pressured to exhaust everything in the age of abundance. We still have the choice whether to order the "digital" pizza from Lieferando or prefer to go to our favorite Italian restaurant to enjoy his warm welcome and be enchanted by his extraordinary hospitality. Exactly the favorite Italian restaurant that always manages to make its guests feel good. Do you know this feeling? These are the exact skills that set us humans apart from robots. What if the "digital natives" could develop this empathy? An attribute that, according to studies, is declining among the "digital natives," those born in the age of digitalization. The generation growing up in overstimulation, manifesting emotions through emoticons, giving compliments on Twitter, boosting their self-confidence through "likes" on their newly uploaded profile picture on Facebook. Therefore, we appeal to the digital immigrants: Bring in your wealth of experience, the awareness that you have successfully mastered many changes in life, and see digital changes as an opportunity to experience new things with passion. Because one thing is certain. There are professional challenges that cannot be overcome by an app or any digital platform without human intervention. The HUMAN remains irreplaceable with its emotionality, empathy, and passion. You can find more speakers on the topic of digitalization here: http://www.deutsches-rednerlexikon.de/lexikas/rednerlexikon/redner-finden/detail.php?id=1251&from=suche&start=0