CIOs currently have unprecedented stressors and responsibilities.
In addition to the typical duties of running the company's IT infrastructure, staff and budget, IT executives have to put the proper resources in place to battle an ever-changing and expanding threat landscape, keep abreast of latest technology advancements, and manage and retain IT staff—ensuring they are equipped with the skills they need for the organization to thrive and succeed.
In the past, IT was often considered capital expenditure—gadgets and services that were "nice-to-haves" and not typically deemed critical for adding to the corporate bottom line.
That mentality has changed. IT is now considered a vital part of the company and many CIOs now have a seat at the table with other C-suite executives.
But deep in their souls, many who have found their way to the CIO level remain hard-core tech fanatics. They've been fascinated by technology since perhaps from a young age. The prospect of quantum computing may be more interesting to them than the company's prospectus, for example.
However, CIOs and other IT executives can have it both ways: They can continue their love affair with technology while sharpening their business skills to become formidable negotiators in the boardroom.
There are several great books offering strategies for CIOs to level up their business game and secure the resources and budget they need to help their companies (and team) succeed:
1. Wolf In CIO's Clothing (1st edition)
Author Tina Nunno is a vice president and Gartner fellow. In her book, "Wolf In CIO's Clothing," she suggests employing Machiavellian tactics to establish successful IT leadership.
"As you read this book, consider your own approach to the three Machiavellian disciplines: Power, Manipulation and Warfare. Are you more comfortable on the light or dark side?" she asks. It's a fun and powerful read, full of case studies and suggestions for CIOs to shift their leadership style.
Authors Dan Roberts and Brian Watson profile several of the most successful CIOs, who share their experiences, pain points and lessons learned. The book highlights nine CIOs who candidly share their insight with other tech executives and aspiring CIOs.
IT leadership expert Susan Crumm wrote in the forward of the book: "The leaders profiled within did more than they thought they could in situations that are more challenging than most. We learn from their mistakes and successes and are emboldened by their courage and discipline."
3. Taking The Reins As CIO: A Blueprint For Leadership Transitions (1st edition)
Written by Tony Gerth and Joe Peppard, this book is for the newly appointed CIO. Amid the digital transformation trend, CIOs have been pushed into the spotlight, the authors assert, yet the exact role and responsibilities of CIOs can vary from company to company and remain ambiguous. Many CIOs still report to the CFO, often diminishing their effectiveness to convey their role and team as little more than an expense.
The book aims to help new CIOs clearly define and communicate their responsibilities to executive management and navigate the C-suite.
4. The Accidental CIO: A Lean And Agile Playbook For IT Leaders
"Lean" and "agile" aren't just project management terms. According to software-developer-turned-executive and author Scott Millett, those terms describe his playbook to becoming an empowered CIO.
Millett is all about efficiency and delves into subjects such as eliminating waste when managing IT, using systems thinking to change behavior, and how to solve problems from "delivery to discovery." In short, he applies the rules of good software development to leading IT teams.
5. Delusions Of A CIO: Inside The Mind Of An IT Executive
From "the server room to the boardroom," author Abilio Oliveira takes an unabashedly honest look at the life of a CIO. From budget battles to frenetic attempts to stay on top of technology advancements, Oliveira attempts to strip the myth of "the CIO as the all-knowing tech oracle" and lays out the philosophical, technical and business challenges CIOs often face day to day.
