Leadership Hacks, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2Technology and email

Throughout history, society has evolved from one level to the next. Major shifts in eras are generally connected to a significant advancement in technology. The global pandemic showed leaders need to be across these shifts and identify ways to leverage technology to work in offices and remotely.

Many civilisations (and businesses) have risen and fallen based on their use — or misuse — of technology and the new forms it has taken. One of the first advancements in technology on a global scale was the printing press. According to Live Science, it was initially credited as being pioneered around 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg, who created adjustable metal letters (or movable type). However, there are examples from Chinese monks up to 600 years earlier who used carved wooden blocks pressed onto sheets of paper. This allowed information to be captured and shared with the masses so people could be informed of current events (and opinions).

The next big advancement in technology was the Industrial Revolution, which took place between 1760 and 1840. Instead of being made individually, goods could now be mass produced using new manufacturing processes in a much faster time frame. This led to an explosion of new products and machines that could be used across all walks of life.

The next main technological advancement was the Information Revolution. Using computers, we're able to capture information and manipulate it as we choose. We can use a computer program ...