The Art of Leadership: CIO Edition

by IT Executives Council | Feb 12, 2024 | HR/Talent, IT Workforce, Professional Growth & Careers

Strong leadership is essential in today’s tech industry landscape. A good leader will communicate effectively with their team, make wise decisions, and delegate tasks to showcase strengths and build on weaknesses. They will develop strategies that support growth.

CIOs who understand how to push their teams forward will help build a thriving organization that stands out in the competitive tech field. They will establish a company culture that fosters trust and loyalty. They will align workers with company goals to yield optimal output.

This article will review the leadership traits every great CIO should possess.

Effective Communication

Effective communication is a two-way street. Leaders must communicate effectively with their teams. They must also develop listening skills to determine how their team reacts to new and existing projects and strategies.

In today’s technology-based world, a good percentage of communication happens through digital channels. Leaders must ensure teams understand instructions and process information correctly. Additionally, there should always be an effort to include a personal element through regular meetings and in-person events.

Leaders should also actively seek out employee feedback. They should find out what teams think of new company developments that affect internal and external processes. They should pay attention to team output to determine their satisfaction with new projects and the work environment.

Atish Bajerjea is a leader who stands out for his strong communication skills. The Facebook CIO has been recognized for his people-centric leadership strategies. He builds platforms that bring the Facebook community together.

His people-first focus goes beyond user interactions. He also focuses on his teams. He seeks their approval on products before bringing them to the Facebook platform. He also promotes career growth to keep employees passionate about their work.

Decision Making

You never know what could happen in today’s ever-changing technology landscape. New technology comes and goes. And there’s always surprises. Systems go down, data breaches happen, and new competition can disrupt the industry.

A smart CIO will lead their team effectively in the face of challenges. They will possess the agility to make on-the-spot decisions that overcome obstacles. They will consider factors quickly to find the best solutions under pressure.

Great decision-making requires many steps. Leaders must identify challenges, devise possible solutions, weigh options, make choices, and sell others on their decisions. The process is not easy under pressure, but a great CIO will have the confidence to pull through.

Teddy Bekele is an excellent example of a CIO with strong decision-making skills. As the CIO of Land O Lakes agricultural corporation, he must constantly deal with environmental threats. He must come up with sustainable decisions to produce food with fewer resources.

Bekele has leveraged disruptive technologies like machine learning, advanced analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to help farmers utilize sustainable agricultural methods. He has led his company through a digital transformation that helped them maintain a position as a leader in their industry. He has implemented strategies that align with the organization’s long-term goals.

Team Management

Team management is a broad CIO leadership responsibility. It involves delegating tasks to different departments and employees. CIOs must also oversee projects after they are delegated by answering questions, monitoring progress, and ensuring everyone is exhibiting the proper work ethic.

A smart manager will delegate tasks according to their team members’ strengths and weaknesses. They will also promote growth by assigning tasks that take employees out of their comfort zone. They will handle conflicts and encourage collaboration.

Setting a common goal is another essential part of team management. The leader must act as a cohesive force that brings teams together toward a prime objective. This strategy inspires productivity and ensures the company achieves the desired result.

Ramon Biaz is a CIO who stands out for his effective team management. As a tech leader at personal care product manufacturing company Kimberly Clark, he has faced his share of challenges. He has found the solutions to manage teams effectively.

Biaz believes in a top-down approach. He believes senior leaders must have a firm grasp on company goals. They should effectively communicate these goals to get the best output from their employees. Confident team leaders inspire their teams and promote trust, loyalty, and accountability.

Register for our Simplifying IT Management Webinar to learn how to effectively lead teams at your organization.