7 signs you may not be a transformational CIO

How to become a transformational CIO

An innovative CIO thinks like one, says Cenlar’s Taylor, who says he looks to “hire the best talent possible who can focus on transformation, innovation, and functional operations.” Transformational CIOs are also proactive in providing a clear vision of new technologies and transformative strategies that support overall business goals, he says.

“I empower my teams to continuously look for ways to improve processes and foster a culture of creativity and solutions-oriented operations,” Taylor says. “Together, we don’t just adapt to client needs and operational trends, we lead the way with innovation.”

To become an innovative or transformational CIO, O’Neill says you need to develop a forward-looking vision that aligns with business strategy and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and experimentation within IT. It’s also important that these CIOs prioritize projects that drive business value and prepare for future challenges. They can do this by engaging with other C-suite executives to understand and shape business needs, she says. Of course, they should also be investing in emerging technologies that offer potential competitive advantages.

“By shifting from a reactive to a proactive mindset, CIOs can lead their organizations not just in catching up, but in getting ahead of the curve in our rapidly evolving digital landscape,” O’Neill says.