Last week we shared two of the five stages of becoming digitally mature: The Babies and Toddlers & Young Children. If you didn’t get a chance to read Part One, grab last week’s edition of Digital Life online. This week, we’ll focus on the last three stages.

The Teens

Now they have it all figured out. But not really as, with the teen stage in humans, we find that there is a desire to act as though everything is under control when the truth is, it’s utter chaos. It’s necessary to navigate this very typical and messy middle. What it looks like: There’s a team in place to manage the digital change efforts, budgets allocated for this significant shift, and leaders and teams enrolled to go along for the ride. We sometimes forget that we are reimagining the way things are and shifting our approach simultaneously. There is a lot to design, build and implement, which takes time, collaboration, and much trial and error.

While this phase feels like you’re finally making significant progress, it is also the time that will stretch your leadership capabilities and that of your people. You may need to seek outside support through therapists, aka consultants, to bring focus to things that aren’t working well and put strategies in place to move you closer to the vision. Unlearning and learning become increasingly important because everyone wants to see the freedom expected at the next phase when most things and people work together and deliver significant and outwardly visible results. Be encouraged; if you can see your companies at this stage of maturity, you’re officially on your way. Remain steadfast and committed to the vision.

The Young Adult

We’re finally on our own. It’s such a great feeling when you know you have successfully launched. All levels of the organisation and your customers feel this relief and utter excitement. According to Statistica, the percentage of companies stalled in their transformation efforts globally hovers at 62 per cent. When you read the analyst papers, many companies are struggling, but also making significant progress as skills gaps get closed and dedicated resources are put in place to manage the transformation effort. A definitive observable shift shows a more substantial commitment to a digital strategy, the change process, and employee adoption. With this comes more natural growing pains as companies settle into new ways of satisfying their customers and staying on top of the newly established P&L. Several countries in North America and Europe are at this stage and are close enough examples for our teens and young children — the key to avoiding mistakes typical of the early stages of transformation.

The Mature Adult

Welcome to the Masters. If we could sum this up with one country ahead of the curve, in this regard, it is China. Despite what folks have to say about their politics, I am impressed by their approach to technology and designing the future. That being said, smaller pockets of innovative nations are worth examining globally. Internal execution and market reception are best in class, and the pace of innovation set for other organisations. There’s always something to learn from those who have mastered the art of transformation. I spend some of my time exploring the countries doing so as I build my knowledge and recommend all organisations in the baby, toddlers and young children, and teens stages to do the same on the way to digital maturity.

Contributed by Stacey Hines, immediate past president, JTDA, founder and CEO of Epic Transformation, business leadership, and transformation expert, and group strategic planner — ICD Group Holdings