Lessons in IT Transformation: Technology Expert to Business Leader

A Leader's Job Is Not Only Creating Success—It is Creating Other Leaders

Finally, as a leader your most important job is to develop other leaders. I have people in my organization who I am certain will be CIOs someday. At every level in my organization there are leaders in development. It is a priority for me to ensure that these talented people have the opportunities, visibility, access, and support they need to develop their skills and ascend to greater levels of contribution. I never worry about the “ship” when I am away from the office because I know that my team is at the wheel and they are incredibly competent and capable of keeping things progressing in the right direction. I know that when I decide to leave the organization, there is no chance of it going aground because we have developed leaders at every level of the organization who know how to get results and the right way to get them. I have total confidence that they will continue to thrive and drive value long after I'm fishing from a charter boat somewhere on the Gulf Coast.

Through the Lens of the CIO—Leaving a Legacy

As you get older, you start to think about how you have spent your life and what you have accomplished. You start thinking about what your legacy will be once you are gone (sorry if I just freaked you out or sent you into a spiral of depression!). No one lives forever, and no leader stays in a position forever. You do your best and then move on. What is the legacy you hope to leave as a leader?