.png?width=682&height=171&name=Advantage-Logo-Tagline-Color%20(1).png){kind=logo}
For many new and aspiring enterprise CIOs, the role is far more complex and challenging than expected. Leaders often lack the understanding, foresight, and strategic capacities needed to perform well in their positions.
This article aims to fill those gaps by offering actionable insights from veteran CIOs to help new CIOs understand their responsibilities, maneuver with agility, and thrive as visionary leaders.
Let’s get started.
The evolving landscape of the enterprise CIO
As IT becomes increasingly indispensable, the role of an enterprise CIO continues to expand in scope and significance. Now, enterprise CIOs do much more than traditional IT management and exert influence far beyond the IT department. Foundry’s 2024 State of the CIO survey found that 85% of CIOs agree that the CIO is becoming a changemaker, increasingly leading business and technology initiatives.
To perform well, CIOs must focus on the big picture—their enterprise’s overarching goals. Peter Markos, Rotary International's CIO, highlighted the importance of looking beyond the tech toward larger aims, saying, “The real secret of adding value… is not to focus just on technology but how to tie that technology to business objectives.”
5 insights all experienced CIOs need to keep in mind
Flourishing in this role is more challenging than ever, but the right strategies make long-term success much more attainable.
Here’s our list of five essential insights for CIOs, informed by valuable advice from veteran professionals.
1. Strategic planning is the end-all, be-all for CIOs
Without a proactive future-oriented vision, how can CIOs prepare their organization to meet impending IT infrastructure needs, adapt to projected industry shifts, or achieve long-term goals?
And if an enterprise isn’t prepared for these challenges, how can it achieve sustained success? Jody Davids, the former CIO of PepsiCo, supports this point, saying that CIOs should be “business strategists first, technologists second.”
Long-term strategic planning aligned with business goals helps leaders anticipate future circumstances, deliver optimized results, and innovate transformatively. Thus, it’s the critical cornerstone of the CIO position.
2. Build effective, highly skilled teams
Effectively developing IT teams is vital. CIOs can cultivate incredible squads by building strong, adaptable, and diverse groups of employees with advanced expertise in various technological domains. To ensure top-notch team performance and results, CIOs must also lead those crews effectively.
CIOs can masterfully pilot by promoting open communication, fostering an innovative culture, and investing in their employees. Azmath Pasha, Metawave Digital’s CTO, says, “I’ve always believed that if you lead with your heart and invest in people, the Technology and Processes seem to always fall into place.”
3. Don’t chase innovation — embrace it from the start
As Robert Carter, FedEx's former CIO, says, “A CIO’s role isn’t just to keep the lights on but to illuminate new possibilities.” Embracing innovation as a foundational principle helps enterprise CIOs not just illuminate new possibilities, but also transform decisions into change catalysts, deepen resilience, and stay up-to-date with technological advancements.
Adopting innovation as a core mindset empowers team members to think creatively, unlocks new strategies, and drives organizational success. This adaptability-enhancing mindset is more crucial than ever in an era of incessant change. Partners at McKinsey position innovation as the solution to weathering uncertainty, stating that as disruption increases, businesses as usual becomes riskier than innovation.
Our current context also demands continuous learning and growth. Therefore, CIOs prioritizing consistent self-evolution enjoy an edge over less agile competitors.
4. Data doesn’t lie, so follow the numbers
As Lori Beer, CIO of JPMorgan Chase, highlights, "Harnessing the power of data and analytics is not just a competitive advantage; it’s a necessity for survival.” CIOs must leverage data to inform their decisions about IT investments, risk management practices, and overarching strategy. Without these insights, leaders struggle to future-proof their enterprises.
To ensure the accuracy and security of data, CIOs should also maintain top-notch data governance.
5. There’s no success without effective communication
Effective communication facilitates collaboration, which is critical for succeeding in any industry as it helps enterprises innovate, optimize performance, and reach business goals. Therefore, enterprise CIOs must enable clear, concise, and consistent cross-functional communication (with technical and non-technical stakeholders).
Remember that proper communication necessarily includes effective negotiation and persuasion.
What CIOs need to prioritize in 2025
Amidst the current conditions, three priorities are shifting into focus for enterprise CIOs: emerging technologies, cybersecurity threats, and the human touch.
Emerging technologies
A range of emerging tech, from cloud computing to the Internet of Things (IoT), impacts the role of modern CIOs. These advancements present unprecedented ethical quandaries, create incredibly complex challenges, and demand optimized data management approaches.
CIOs must prepare their IT infrastructure, strategies, and security for these developments. Examples of preparation methods include enhancing scalability, integrating automation, leveraging analytics, and upskilling employees.
Cybersecurity threats
Cybersecurity threats continue to shape-shift and evolve. Generative AI is facilitating more sophisticated phishing and deep-fake attacks, IoT device vulnerabilities, and attacks on remote work infrastructure. A staggering 47% of leaders surveyed in PwC’s 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey ranked cloud-related threats as their top threat scenario.
Consequently, enterprise CIOs should proactively protect their enterprise’s digital environment with preventative measures such as robust monitoring systems, encryption protocols, and vulnerability assessments. Leaders should also train employees and build a culture of awareness from top to bottom.
The human touch
As the world becomes increasingly AI-infatuated and technology-driven, people yearn for a human element. While all CIOs recognize the importance of technical skills and infrastructure, many overlook the impact of interpersonal skills.
Leaders should note that the top three most in-demand professional skills in LinkedIn’s 2024 in-demand skills survey were soft skills—communication, customer service, and leadership.
Conclusion: Partner with Advantage to optimize network operations
While the role of a modern-day enterprise CIO is tough, focusing on five key insights and three emerging priorities will help CIOs cultivate resilience, lead successfully, and launch their organizations toward a better future.
Interested in better navigating the complexities of your role by elevating your innovation capacities, gaining access to robust cross-functional solutions, and reaching your goals?
Connect with Advantage Communications Group, a team of connectivity experts that simplifies IT challenges, supports operations, and cuts organizational costs. Get in touch today to learn how our tailored solutions and advisory services can help you optimize your impact and stay ahead of the curve.