"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
One of the tech industry's biggest draws is its constant evolution. This a sector that never stands still, and where there's always a new lesson to learn.
Sometimes those lessons aren't about technology. Knowing how to work with people is one of the most important skills a person can have - at least, according to the country's top CIOs and IT leaders.
We asked members of our Top 100 IT Leaders list what they consider the most important lesson they've learned in their career - and almost every one talked about the importance of people. Technology, in fact, barely got a mention. At the senior echelons most CIOs, CTOs and CDOs operate at, people management is just as if not more important than knowing the ins and outs of AWS.
For example, former HarperCollions CIO Laura Meyer stresses the importance of networking, while John Sullivan, CIO of Great British Railways, notes that technology is secondary to people and culture when it comes to transformation.
Terry Willis, Director of Technology, Church of England
We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, so listen twice as much as you talk.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Tom Clark, CTO, Ardonagh Advisory
IT is not an island and business skills are so important. Early in my career I decided to do a night-school degree in business studies covering law, psychology, HR and finance, which has been invaluable.
Also, change roles regularly even within the same organisation - your experiences grow with each new role / environment and keeping a two-three year timeframe in mind for each role helps you focus on what needs to be achieved, as well as broadening what you are exposed to.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Jane Deal, IT Director, The Law Society
More haste, less speed, particularly in the world of projects and aspirational deadlines.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Richard Corbridge, CIO, Boots UK & Ireland
People are the only way you can achieve outcomes. Those that don't lean on their colleagues are likely to be less successful and definitely less happy.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Mark Ridley, Director, Ridley Industries
Always show respect to other people. I'm still ashamed of how I behaved before I learned this one.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
John Sullivan, CIO, Great British Railways
Change is about people and setting the right culture - technology is very secondary.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Nicholas Hodder, Assistant Director of Digital Transformation, Imperial War Museums
Just look after people. Be honest with them, be clear with them, give the tools that they and know when to get out of their way.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Lesley Salmon, Global CIO, Kellog Company
People matter the most - always and in everything.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Juan Villamil, CIO, Imperial College London
Chase the positives, stay away from any ‘nay sayers', and don't stick your fingers in a 240v socket!
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Andy Caddy, CIO, PureGym
If something's good, say it's good. But if something's bad, definitely make sure you say that it's bad.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Charles Ewen, CIO, The Met Office
The value of diversity and that there is no such thing as the ‘best' people, defined in traditional ways such as a privileged education, background or familiar language, ethnicity or gender, body or mind. It is one thing to see inclusion and diversity as a good thing from a fairness and inclusion perspective, but another to learn that the best outcomes are genuinely delivered by heterogeneous and diverse teams that work to understand each other's perspectives.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Laura Meyer, angel investor and former HarperCollins CIO
Follow your passion if you possibly can. Also, network and meet people even when you don't feel like it. Be around to help people as your career progresses.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Steven Capper, Group CIO, SNC-Lavalin
Treat everyone the same regardless of hierarchy and treat people how you would want to be treated.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Kris Kupilas, R&D Digital Transformation Lead, ArcelorMittal
I would say - to appreciate, consider and value others' point of view to avoid blind spots. Recognise colleagues and learn from everybody.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Ian Hill, Director of Information & Cyber Security, Upp
I must admit working in cyber security has made me more cynical as I've got older: never able to relax and always assuming the worst comes with the job, but the one thing I've learnt is not to assume anything. That may be why I often quote von Moltke's military maxim: ‘No battle plan survives contact with the enemy'.
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
Marina Brilleman, Global IT Manager, British American Tobacco
There is only one you - be yourself!
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
James Lomas, Group CTO, Bionic
It's not a case of being right or wrong - more a question of perspectives!
"IT is not an island": IT leaders' most important lessons
Learning from the best
James Packer, Head of Information Security, EF Education First
People are never the weakest link, they are the link that can be the strongest - you just haven't developed their armour!