Intranet leadership is a topic of concern for any organization trying to establish its intranet as a critical business tool. But, based on the paltry input I’ve had to recent queries, most don’t really know what should be required of someone leading the intranet charge.
We should first ask what organizations want the intranet to be? Or, framed more strategically, what should they want it to be, whether they have arrived at this understanding or not.
Clearly, the intranet should be a critical business tool that drives the business. It should enable business process, sharing, dialog, and all the other things required to deliver on business goals. It should be the online embodiment of the work place. What I need, when I need it, how I need it – to be a high performer, an asset for my company.
Here are the things I think ensure your intranet leader makes the grade, based on my 13 years of experience in intranet governance and our view into client experiences here at Eloquor Consulting.
1. Ability to see the strategic connections between technology’s potential and business strategy
2. Strong communication skills so he or she can articulate the value from item #1 for the right stakeholders
3. Great collaboration, negotiation and facilitation skills in order to cross any divides and bring people together to address a common goal
4. Superb planning and project management skills, including the ability to delegate and motivate
5. Appreciation for user needs and a willingness to allow that to usurp executive pressure
6. Deep understanding of how users read online and strong teaching skills to help others develop great content
7. Ability to identify important metrics, analyze data and see and promote solutions in the results
8. Ability to serve stakeholders and the organization as an internal consultant, generating dialog to identify great solutions and keeping people focused on making great decisions
9. Great volumes of courage – to step out, ask the hard questions, speak the truth and recommend new directions
These are some of the things I believe are crucial to realizing the great business value of a strong, well-constructed and well-managed intranet or employee portal. It is helpful to consider the steps of good intranet/portal governance to put the leader’s skills into perspective. Obviously, there are more tactical skills that could be added to the list above as well.
I’m interested to know what else you think should be added to this list.
