Not surprisingly, the role of the Chief Information Officer evolves in a similar fashion as the technology world itself. The world of mainframes and dumb terminals remains markedly different from mobile devices, 5G, and the Cloud. The overall responsibilities of the CIO also transformed, requiring different technical and soft skills compared to previous eras.
So let's take a high-level overview of the evolving role of the modern CIO. Leverage this information if your professional goals include someday residing in the corner office. Use it to plot a technology career path that leads to this successful outcome.
The modern CIO now boasts a wide range of skills; effectively combining technical smarts with strong business acumen. This mix allows them to lead their organizations in achieving the full benefits of a digital transformation. It's a necessary evolution considering the continued growth of the Cloud, eCommerce, and social media. In this business environment, companies without forward-looking tech leadership suffer as a result.
The Modern CIO Needs Strong Business Skills
The importance of a CIO possessing strategic business skills has become even more critical over the last few years. Steve Bates, principal, management consulting at KPMG, commented on this emerging need. CIOs "need to have a point of view on the business … that [they] didn't need in the past. CIOs are really expected now to deeply understand the business strategy and then translate that into the technology roadmap," noted Bates.
Interested in Becoming a CIO? Here's What Companies Want.
While the requirements for any CIO position depend on the individual company, some common traits exist. We previously mentioned the keen mix of high-end technical and business skills. A clear sense of vision also matters, especially in a quickly-changing tech industry. Strong communication and people skills are also critical considering the nature of this job role.
That latter point is especially vital in the post-pandemic era. As tech companies increasingly leverage a remote workforce, strong leadership becomes essential in fostering a true sense of team. In the end, becoming an effective CIO relies on much more than technical skills and vision. Business and people skills almost matter as much.
If you need advice on taking your IT career to the highest level, reach out to the team at Technology Partners. As one of the top technical staffing agencies in St. Louis, we know the companies looking for talented candidates. Schedule some time with us at your earliest convenience.
