TLDR: CEOs are increasingly relying on CIOs to provide digital leadership and drive digital transformation within their organizations. CIOs need to have a “business first” mindset and a combination of technical skills and business acumen. They must also prioritize collaboration and communication across functional and business boundaries. CIOs can build compelling business cases by aligning digital initiatives with the company’s mission and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Successful CIOs understand the business goals and use technology as a lever to drive business value. They work to build cross-functional bridges and bring clarity to decision-making processes. CIOs must also embrace cutting-edge technology and educate the executive team on its benefits. To be effective, CIOs need to think “business first” and use technology to support and drive business objectives.
