CIO: Career Is Obscured
I currently have an interesting discussion in full swing in LinkedIn around the topic of ‘Do CIOs want a seat on the board?’ On the face of it this is a dumb question given that organisations need digital leadership muscle in the c-suite and such a career move would be seen be everybody as a positive leap. Or would it?
Over the years I have engaged with a number of CIOs who painstakingly rationalise the importance of their NOT being in the c-suite as essential to their contribution. I always took this as a form of career cul-de-sac rationalisation.
But it is now dawning on me that the issue is that many CIOs were recruited to be technology managers. That is what they enjoy and that is what they are good at. The subsequent emergence of digital has woken up the leadership team to the need for digital governance. So they are looking at their CIO as someone who might carry that responsibility. Often it is more of a glance (for a variety of reasons) than a look and so we see the emergence of the Chief Digital Officer.
The result is that many CIOs are overwhelmed and confused by these changes. Should they push for the boardroom? Should they take on the CDO role? And would they still be in the line of fire if the CFO’s phablet needs attention?
We need to be careful that we do not confuse technology management with digital leadership. I think the latter is a role for the CIO but for many there is a skills gaps that needs to be addressed first.
Rich Nitzsche
@
Among the early questions I ask about any CIO position these days is if the role has seat on the board and if it reports to the CFO…if the answer to the former is no and the latter is yes, beware. The role is likely not seen as strategic and you’ll be mired in operational minutia without end…
Ade
@
Very true Rich.