Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Have you ever felt like technology is moving faster than your ability to lead with confidence?
I want to start with something I’ve noticed working with leaders all over Australia: being a leader today isn’t just about people, strategy, or vision anymore. You’ve got to be comfortable with technology too. Not because you need to code or become a tech expert. But because technology now shapes the way we make decisions, communicate, and care for our teams. And if you’re not paying attention to it, your leadership starts to feel… stuck.
There was a time when leaders could leave ‘tech stuff’ to the IT department and think that was enough. Those days are gone. Today, leaders need more than a passing awareness of technology. You need to be confident asking the right questions, spotting opportunities, and making choices that help the business move forward. That’s what being a tech-savvy leader really means.
Why tech matters in leadership
Here’s something leaders don’t always admit out loud: technology can be intimidating. I’ve seen leaders freeze when someone mentions AI or data analytics. They start thinking they need to “catch up” and suddenly feel like they’re behind. But what I’ve learned and what many conversations with leaders have shown is that you don’t need to master technology to lead well. You need to understand how it influences your choices as a leader, and how it impacts your organisation’s future.
Being tech-savvy is about having the confidence to make decisions with a tech lens, and being willing to learn along the way. That’s why leaders today need to think more like inquisitive learners than tech experts. A mindset that pays off in clarity, speed, and strategic strength. Studies on workplace wellbeing show that leaders who stay curious and open tend to have teams that feel safer, more engaged, and more willing to adapt because curiosity flows both ways.
Start with culture, not tools
The first step is culture. How you think about technology in your organisation.
Your attitude toward technology sets the tone for your team. If you’re open to learning and asking questions, your team feels safe to explore and innovate too. That’s why I always tell leaders to focus on three practical strategies:
- Encourage experimentation — create a space where people feel safe to test new tools and share what they learn.
- Use data to inform decisions — even simple dashboards can help you see trends and patterns that your instinct alone can’t.
- Commit to ongoing learning — whether that’s online courses, reading, or talking to experts who know more than you do.
That last point is crucial. Leaders who stop learning fall behind. Technology changes fast. What’s new today might be old news next year. If you’re not growing, you’re shrinking. That’s why I also champion upgrading your leadership mindset learning isn’t optional anymore.
How technology helps your choices
Technology is about better decisions. Tools like data analytics give leaders a clearer picture of what’s happening in their organisation. They remove guesswork. They help you see what patterns are repeating and where people might be struggling. That means you can intervene earlier, give better feedback, and make choices that actually stick.
And it’s not just data. Collaboration platforms like the ones I’ve seen teams adopt (yes, the ones many leaders first resist) can actually help distributed teams stay connected and feel supported. They offer transparency. They make decision-making clear. All of that feeds into psychological safety the sense that people can speak up, be heard, and be part of solutions. That’s something I talk about a lot, especially in the context of leaders who want to build safe, productive environments for their teams. safe conversations transform workplaces, and being open about technology plays a part in that.
A mindset shift for leaders
I want to be real with you: becoming tech-savvy isn’t a project with a start and end date. It’s a mindset. It’s about seeing technology as part of leadership, not something separate from it. It’s about curiosity. Asking questions. Admitting when you don’t know something. And being okay with that. That’s where leadership grows. Not from perfect answers, but from the courage to ask hard questions.
One simple practice I encourage leaders to try is this: when you’re faced with a decision, ask “how might technology help us here?” even if the answer isn’t obvious. Sometimes it will be data analytics. Sometimes it will be automation. Sometimes it will be nothing. But asking the question forces you to think differently, and that’s where insight begins.
Want to take it further?
If you’re looking for support on this journey, whether it’s becoming more confident with technology as a leader, building stronger team culture, or enhancing how your leaders think and act, we work with leaders through tailored programs that help with real-world challenges. Reach out for a personalised leadership conversation
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If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams