Why CIOs Must Be Business Leaders First, Technologists Second
CIO, Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Being the smartest techie isn't enough - CIOs win by speaking business, leading people and tying tech to real outcomes.
When I first became CIO, I believed my main advantage was my technical knowledge. I had spent years building systems, running projects and solving complex technology challenges. If something broke, I could usually trace the root cause. If a new platform came in, I knew how to evaluate it.
But very quickly, I realized that being the 'best technologist in the room' wasn't enough. In fact, it wasn't even the job anymore