CIO
opinion
CIO
OPINION
best talent across the business in every
functional area. Having the right people in
the right jobs and inspiring them to lead the
charge, a CEO should be able to trust every
employee to execute the business strategy
with excellence.
And finally, a CEO needs to understand the
power of the appropriate and effective use
of technology. Technology is the engine that
fuels success in this day and age and having
a solid comprehension of the technologies
out there that make the seemingly
impossible, possible is critical. Keeping up
to date on the latest market trends is key as
innovation is everywhere and it is with this in
mind that having the background of a CIO
makes perfect sense.
The journey from I to E
Similarities run throughout these two roles,
so much so that a CIO is like a CEO in
training. Both positions rely on a thorough
understanding and dedication to business
requirements, a full commitment to working
with distinction and the ability to manage
expectations of and deliver them to
employees, customers and partners. A CIO
and CEO must both be able to communicate
business strategy and vision in a way that
will rejuvenate and empower employees,
along with anyone who has an impact on
the business. But most importantly, both
must value and show commitment to these
employees in order for them and the business
as a whole to motivate, grow and succeed.
So, if anyone ever asks if a CIO can become
a CEO, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. n
Communication is arguably a CEO’s most
important skill: communicating business
objectives that are understandable and
relatable to employees and their role in
helping to achieve them; communicating
strategies and expectations to shareholders
and stakeholders alike and recognising that
their relationship with the company should
be mutually profitable and beneficial; and
communicating the product or service to
customers and prospects. A CEO must be
able to illustrate clear, open and effective
www.intelligentcio.com
communication to inspire, persuade and
convince, to suit a range of audiences.
A CEO must also practice transformational
leadership – the ability to set the tone of the
business by example to motivate employees
and attract new talent. This reigns true for
new businesses just starting out as well as for
well-established enterprises.
A successful CEO must create the right
conditions for recruiting and retaining the
“
A CEO SHOULD BE
ABLE TO TRUST
EVERY EMPLOYEE
TO EXECUTE
THE BUSINESS
STRATEGY WITH
EXCELLENCE.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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