I came across one of the most insightful summaries that capsules the essential ingredients CEOs look for from their CIOs. It's from Jack Groban, head of the executive search firm Jack Groban & Associates.
The post originally appeared by Thomas Wailqum on the CIO Magazine Advice & Opinion: Information Collective blog. (That was a mouthful.) Here's the part you should read. See this link for Thomas' full post.
Everything works all the time. Forget long-range IT strategies and mega-transformation projects. Credibility is directly proportionate to reliability. Ignore the basics at your peril.
They think, talk and behave like they're running a P&L. Line management has to believe that you understand their business, that you worry about the same things they do, and that IT resources are being applied to make them more successful. You need to understand and use their jargon. They don't need to understand IT-speak.
I know they'll tell it to me straight, always. Projects can be fixed, character can't. While projects need to be well-managed, fudging the truth on costs or timelines, or the worst sin of all: 11th hour surprises are deadly because they create doubt about both your competence and your credibility which generally can't be repaired.
They're proactive about ways to apply IT. If you're a top-tier CIO, chances are you get up every morning and ask yourself "What can I do today to add value and make my company more successful?" Be among the 1 percent of CIOs who go to their CEO saying, "I'd like to recommend some process changes that could create competitive advantage/streamline distribution/improve customer service/reduce expenses."
They don't whine about reporting relationships. Seriously, folks, it doesn't matter whether you report to the CEO, COO, CFO or CAO. If it bothers you, check your ego at the door. The only issue worth addressing is, "Do I have a seat at the table?" Beyond that, credibility is achieved through deeds, not org charts.
Their objectives seem to be in synch with the needs of the business. Unless you're in the auto, music or mortgage industries, driving down costs is an objective, not the objective. Cost-effectiveness is. Providing systems that support growth and profits is. Providing perceived value is. Be a business partner, not the cheapest shop in town.
They manage my expectations. This may very well be Job One for all executives, but particularly for CIOs. It is disastrous to over-promise. Postpone gratification by fighting for goals that are realistic, and then exceeding expectations.
They've built a strong team that's competent, customer-friendly and seems energized. You're known by the company you keep, and great people reflect directly on your self-confidence and managerial competence. You would be amazed at how many executives in all disciplines are threatened by strong subordinates. Big mistake! Success breeds success. Build a shop that others want to join and in which your customers have confidence.
I can depend on them to be honest about necessary investments and timeliness. As the saying goes, pay me now or pay me later. Failure to own up to necessary investments only postpones the moment when you will be blamed for allowing the company's infrastructure to fall behind. And, there are usually no quick fixes. If you can do what's right and still reduce cost, great. If not, make the investment!
They give me confidence about business continuation. It's more satisfying to buy a new TV than to upgrade your plumbing, until you're standing in an inch of water. Deal with security, deal with disaster recovery, and don't let anyone tell you it isn't a priority.
I don't know Jack Groban but in my book he speaks very wisely.
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Mitchell Ashley is CEO and Chief Strategist of Converging Network, LLC, providing product and technology strategies to emerging technology companies. A serial entrepreneur, Mitchell has created many successful products and services in the networking, security, convergence, Internet and IT industries. In addition to blogging for NetworkWorld, Mitchell regularly blogs at TheConvergingNetwork and co-hosts the widely popular Still Crazy After All These Years podcast.
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Now, one problem
Where you can find a CIO like that. The list is a dream list but, unfortunately, I have known xxx number of CIO's over a long time and maybe one or two who had most of the "essential ingredients". Most of time, not always, it was the corporate culture which made it impossible for a CIO to do what he/she wanted. Easy to say that ignore the chain of command but then you find yourself unemployed very fast. You might have been right but some places the hierarchy is more important than money. One advice to "upper skeleton", protect your CIO, programmer, system administrator, etc and you get the best. They may not always agree with you but they also are often very skilled what they do so this goes two ways. In short, treat people right and they go long ways with you even if they have their own agenda.
Good Leaders Lead, Great Leaders Believe In People
Tuomoks, thanks for commenting. You add some good insights to the discussion. You are right, this is a list of CIO aspirations and probably not practiced my most. Otherwise, the life expectancy for a typical CIO would be greater than six months. :) (I heard a CIO once jokingly say he considered himselft a success after staying in the job for more than six months, longer than the typical CIO life expectancy.)
You bring something to mind about a philosophy of mine regarding your last statement, treat people right and they go a long ways to help you succeed.
One of my personal philosophies of leadership is about believing in people. So often leaders get caught up in all the leadership, power and fear of not always being right, we forget one of the basics I've learned about personal working relationships;
If you believe in people, I mean truly believe in them, they sense the genuiness of this, and more often than not will go the extra distance for you.
The times I've done this (followed my own philosophy) have been very rewarding. It's so satisfying to see a team succeed. That times I haven't, well... not so good.
It's hard to do because it's not always going to work out. Sometimes you'll be disappointed, but you have to believe that in the long run (and often the not-so-long run) the results will be so much greater.
Food for thought.
Mitchell Ashley
Converging Network, LLC
Personal blog: http://theconvergingnetwork.com
Personal podcast: http://www.clickcaster.com/ss