Introduction

Adventures of an IT Leader

Introduction

An IT (Information Technology) leader is also called CIO (Chief Information Officer) who is responsible to manage IT applications and infrastructure of a company to attain business goals and strategies. An IT leader may be senior manager or executive that play key role in designing as well as implementing best IT strategies and policies within the organization so that variety of information can be shared successfully. An IT leader has to face a range of challenges such as: anticipating emerging technology in order to develop and maintain the relationships with employees, vendors, managers etc. An IT leader should have strong technology and business skills so that he can understand crisis management and security. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the roles and functions of IT leaders in the success and growth of business organizations.

Adventures of an IT Leader

In the current time of technology based era, the overall success and growth of a company is totally depends on technology. This is reason that, today’s companies are spending millions of dollars in hiring and retaining of top talented IT leaders. Moreover, IT leaders are required to have great leadership skills, wide knowledge and abilities to cope with the demand of IT. Today, IT leadership is important for every business because it play major role in improving the business productivity, shaping as well as promoting positive & harmonious culture. For case, an IT leader brings new ideas and methods for the business which are important for the success of business. On the other hand, IT leader is also brings multifaceted technological changes in a company and allow a company to attain IT investment objectives and goals successfully (Lussier, & Achua, 2009).

Moreover, it is also important to know that, an IT leader have a range of leadership skills along with technology related knowledge about the strategies, tolls, and methods of IT. It is important to an IT leader to effectively understand the business so that most appropriate technology can be implemented within the business. Additionally, an IT leader is also accountable to create effective IT strategies and operational governance processes. Along with this, an IT leader is also play key role in fostering a strong partnership among the business stakeholders and IT. IT leaders are also responsible to inspire their managers so that they can understand current and upcoming IT trends. For example, an IT leader is more capable to anticipate IT trends and propose new methods to improve business via technology or IT.

An IT leader is also accountable to enhance information privacy and security systems of a company by modifying existing tools and technology in the business environment. Moreover, IT leaders bring positive changes within employees via personal and professional development. For example, IT managers pay too much attention on fixing of IT related issues and create specific systems to overcome such issues (Macco, 2000).

• Strategic Thinking: IT leaders are strategic thinkers and help their organizations in the strategic planning of technology. They play key role in identifying as well as anticipating the future technology need and want of a company. 
• Strong Communication Skills: IT leaders also have strong interpersonal skills along with technical skills. For instance, an IT leader is needed to motivate the IT team in order to build strong interpersonal relationships. Moreover, it is also important for an IT leader to educate the stakeholders, employees about the new initiatives to implement new technologies, tools and systems (Lewis, Goodman, Fandt & Michlitsch, 2006).
• Ability to Work Under pressure: Today’s IT Leaders have to work under pressure to make the IT systems of the company more secure and private. As a logical thinker, they are required to think strategically and find the solution of problems.
• Attention to Detail: Any technology mistake or error can be expensive for a company, especially if sensitive or private information is compromised. Detail attention of an IT leader helps in minimizing such types of issues by developing IT tools, policies and strategies.
• Project Management Skills: An IT leader must have strong PM skills in order to manage IT projects, budgets and timelines. For example, with the help of strong PM skills, an IT leader can negotiate with the vendors, and execute best system with the company.
• Work for Positive Outcomes: An IT leader work hard to attain the IT investment objectives. He invest his or her most of time in bringing innovation and improvements in systems by introducing and implementing best IT tools, technologies and policies.
• Integrity: In order to be a good IT leader, an individual should be more honest and have moral principles. These skills will allow an individual to effectively work with the team members during the transformations within the company. So, a leader should have strong character (Bowerman, & Wart, 2011).
• Time Management: It is also essential to an IT leader that it should have time management skills to complete the IT projects on the time. For case, an IT leader is responsible for prioritizing, scheduling and setting proper deadlines to attain the objectives of IT project timely.
• Problem Solving: An IT leader should be problem solver so that he or she can make more strategic decisions to attain the IT objectives. For example, this skill will allow the leader to understand the IT problem or issues and asking the right questions to monitor the outcomes.
• Intelligence and Clarity: An IT leader should be intelligent and work with more clarity. For example, this skill is important to analyze and explain the complicated systems or process in a more understandable and clear manner to nontechnical people.
• Communication and Encouragement: In order to effectively and successfully attain the IT objectives and goals, an IT leader should communicate with the employees, vendors, managers and stakeholders effectively. He should develop a positive environment of mutual trust and team spirit. Moreover, he should focus on bringing the right people within the company. IT leaders are also required to communicate honestly and foster personal relation with the team. It will be more important for the overall success and growth of the company (Bass, & Riggio, 2012).

Conclusion

On the basis of above analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that, an IT leader is an important person within a company that play fundamental role in the success and growth of a company by improving information technology, systems, and tolls in an effective and proper manner. Along with this, it can also be summarized that, an IT leader has to face range of IT related challenges and issues within the company and such issues can be avoided by using best IT strategies and policies. Moreover, it is also found that, in order to be a strong and perfect IT leader, an individual should have a range of technical and non-technical leadership qualities, traits. Overall, it can be concluded that, the overall success of a company is heavily depends on IT so it should pay attention of hiring talented, skilled and knowledgeable IT leader.

References

Bass, B.M. & Riggio, R.E. (2012). Transformational Leadership (2^nd ed.). UK: Psychology Press.

Bowerman, K.D. & Wart, M.V. (2011). The Business of Leadership: An Introduction. USA: M.E. Sharpe.

Lewis, P.S., Goodman, S.H., Fandt, P.M. & Michlitsch, J.F. (2006). Management: Challenges for Tomorrow’s Leaders (5^th ed.). USA: Cengage Learning.

Lussier, R.N. & Achua, C.F. (2009). Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development (4^th ed.). USA: Cengage Learning.

Macco, M. (2000). Understanding the Difference Between Management and Leadership. Research Technology Management, 43 (1), 57-59. Retrieved from: http://tamarackcommunity.ca/downloads/CCI_downloads/cl_mgmtldrshp.pdf