Ten years ago, when we would ask senior executives or company directors what “digital” meant to them, their response would usually be something related to social media. Today, it might be apps, big data, 3D printing, the cloud, or another current example of digital technology. All such answers are equally correct—and equally in error. More important than the specific innovations introduced by the digital revolution is their earth-shaking cumulative impact on business and organizations. There is no border anymore between the pre- and post-digital worlds. Digital is business and business is digital.

Yet, top corporate leaders are not taking charge of digitalizing their organizations, as was made clear to us by a survey we conducted in 2016 to which 1,160 managers, executives, and board directors responded. That survey developed into a report available for free online. We discovered that most board members lack the knowledge and awareness necessary to lead a digital transformation.

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