The CIO’s Future Lies Beyond Technology

Your customers and business partners are asking three questions about you as the IT leader: Why you? Why now? What makes you relevant?

We are quickly nearing a time when the traditional answers about maintaining networks, desktop support, email servers, updating applications, and completing projects that are thrown over the wall will no longer suffice.

It’s not that many of the traditional IT responsibilities are no longer important. It is simply that they are commodities that can be purchased anywhere and probably at a lower price with acceptable reliability.

For instance, a quick search of Fiver, the global online marketplace for tasks and services, reveals that basic desktop support via remote access can be purchased for $5. Need help on a server related, domain or control panel related issue on your Linux cPanel server? That’s $5, too. How about setting up an email server? You guessed it -- $5 unless you want SPF or DKIM. Then the cost goes up to $45. For less than $150, you can do a complete AWS server setup.

Admittedly, these are basic functions that do not require people to be on-site to complete. And, your organization no doubt has security and operational needs that make these services impractical. But, if these basic IT services can be performed without internal IT support today, what will be possible in three years?

Demonstrating CIO Relevancy

More important – how will you demonstrate your relevance in a world where IT basics still matter today even though they may not make you a valuable partner tomorrow?

There isn’t a binary either/or solution. You must build a team that increases efficiency and performance in the basic IT functions and adds value to the broader business. Here are three areas where you should focus now:

1. Less tactical and more strategic. The most effective CIO’s keep an eye on the day-to-day while keeping their vision locked into the future. It is the organizational equivalent of being aware of what is in your rear-view mirror while focusing your major attention out of the front windshield while driving. The strategic CIO focuses on how technology enhances broader organizational goals rather than the requirements for individual projects or activities.
   
   
2. Less reactive and more proactive. You can be strategic and still be reactive. Proactive CIO’s constantly scout the horizon for ways to help the business be faster, better, cheaper, and friendlier. They don’t wait for a project request or to be invited to a meeting.
   
   
3. Less change management and more transformational leadership. Ross Perot once said, “You manage data and things. You lead people.” Transformational CIO’s leave the management of projects to talented people on their staff. They focus on transforming the mindset and performance of their teams as well as building the trust necessary to transform relationships with their partners in the business. 
   

Thrive as a Non-technical IT Leader

What’s keeping you from becoming a CIO who can thrive in a future where technological competence is no longer a differentiating factor? Typically, the causes are all around either time, knowledge or mindset.

Are you hanging on to the way you have always done things because you don’t have the time to break away from old habits? Is there an education and training gap? Or, do you need to perform a personal attitude adjustment to fully embrace the reality that mastering the technology no longer ensures your relevance?

If the barrier truly is time, start by getting rid of everything on your calendar that others should or could be doing. Spending your time with activities and assignments that others could be doing means that you are missing developmental opportunities with your team. Doing things that others should be doing suggests that there could be a problem with role clarity, delegation, training, or accountability.

Sometimes the time excuse is a convenient cover for a mindset or competency gap. People tend to find the time to do the things they enjoy or at which they excel – which also explains why there is always time to pursue your favorite hobby while unpleasant chores around the house can go undone for months.

Unfortunately, you will never make the changes you need until you create the space to practice and develop new skills. Here are four practical steps you can take right now:

1. Set aside 20 percent of your time each week to think about, and plan for the future. It doesn’t have to be a single block, but it does have to be intentional. This could be reading the latest ideas, talking to business partners about their challenges, or working with your team to brainstorm and launch new ideas.
   
   
2. Set aside an additional 10 percent of your time each week to focus on sharing your vision and developing your team. This includes coaching others on individual development plans, conducting town hall or small group sessions with staff, and meeting with new hires to ensure that they are being taught the culture.
   
   
3. Invest a minimum of 5 percent of your time every week in developing yourself as a leader. This could be reading books, going to conferences and seminars, watching on-demand videos, or engaging a coach.
   
   
4. Do all of the above without extending your time at work.

Consistently implementing these four ideas forces you to be intentional about becoming a more strategic, proactive, and transformational leader. But, achieving these targets is only the beginning.

There will always be options for maintaining infrastructure and developing applications. Your future success depends on your ability to continually expand your influence by moving beyond the technology.