Leaders, let’s get agile! Observing agile leadership in successful digital transformation projects

Digital transformation is imperative for companies wishing to remain competitive. Undeniably, the integration of digital technologies has proven fundamental for enhancing business performance. Despite this, little is known about how leadership styles influence the outcome of digital transformation processes. To address this gap, this study builds on the practice-based view (PBV) to explore how managers can lead these transformative processes. We interviewed 19 managers and employees from an Italian company, LEM Industries, to gather relevant insights about the phenomenon. The findings show how agile leaders drive successful digital transformation through fast decision loops, continuous participation in digital transformation activities, and evolutionary and revolutionary practices, making the organization leaner and more efficient. Agile leadership deployment made employees feel part of the broader decision-making process. Such a change increased their overall morale, as they began to feel part of the future of the company. Thus, agile leadership is an appropriate approach to engaging organizational members in digital transformation projects.