Wisdom from Winning Leaders

What leadership practices help you succeed? That is the question posed recently to the National CIO ORBIE Finalists at the first-ever national Chief Information Officer awards celebration. The ORBIE signifies exceptional leadership, innovation, and vision.

I was pleased, as the 2020 Colorado CIO of the Year in the Public Sector, to serve as a judge for the National CIO of the Year ORBIE awards. There is so much to learn from these leaders, each of whom was initially selected as an ORBIE CIO of the Year winner in their local area and business category.

Wise Practical Pointers

EXPERIENCE

John Hill, CIO, Carhartt — "There is no substitute for experience."

GOALS

	Sumit Anand, CIO, atHome — "Learn from the team to infuse realism into inspirational goals."
	Mike Larson, CIO, Agiliti Health — "Understanding company goals is critical."
	Jacob Sorensen, CIO, Bank of the West — "Find time to relax."

GRATITUDE

Bob Solis, CIO, MIT Lincoln Laboratory — "Take a step back and take it all in. Thank all that helped you get here."

LEARNING

	Matt Bieri, CIO, Tyler Technologies — "Don't stop learning."
	Tom Gordon, CIO, Virtua Health — "Be a better thinker."
	Pramesh Naik, CIO, Troutman Pepper — "Never stop learning. Understand what makes the business tick."
	Darrell Fernandes, CIO, TIAA — "Learn to listen. Bring in diversity."
	Christer Peltomaa, CIO, Comcast Business — "Think like business."

MENTORSHIP

Lisa Dykstra, CIO, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — "Be a good mentor, like a mother."

OPPORTUNITIES

	Wendy Pfeiffer, CIO, Nutanix — "Watch the movie, Yes Man. Say yes to each opportunity."
	Usman Waheed , CIO, Knoll, National CIO of the Year — "Be fearless. Challenges are opportunities. Must make sure the Customer Experience is the goal of the journey."

PASSION

	Kevin Boyd, CIO, University of Chicago — "Be passionate. Love what you do."
	Matthew Chambers, CIO, Baylor Scott and White Health — "Pursue something you love."
	Tarek Tomas, CIO, State of MN — "Follow your passion. Don't give up."

PEOPLE

	Paul Algreen, CIO, Janus Henderson Investors — "Get your team to pull in the same direction."
	Mike Goodwin, CIO, Petsmart — "Build authentic relationships."
	Joan Kuehl, CIO, Elevate Credit, National CIO of the Year — "Leverage everybody's unique skills."
	Mike Matthews, CIO, Deluxe, National CIO of the Year — "People matter the most."
	Ravi Pendse, CIO, University of Michigan — "Make sure you bow before people in humility."
	Craig Richardville, CIO, SCL Health, National CIO of the Year — "Learn how to be a better parent. Grow and develop people around you. Prepare people, then step back and let them go."
	Len Peters, CIO, New York University — "Trust people. Get out of their way."

VALUES

Andrew Brock, CIO, Associa — "Values are most important. Hire for character, loyal, and integrity."

VISION

Tanya Hannah, CIO, King County, WA, National CIO of the Year — "We need leaders at all levels to bring organizational vision to life."

Summary

These CIOs, from around the country in many business categories, have been honored through the National CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards. They are inspiring and they challenge all of us to step up and lead well in our organizations. What leadership practices can help you succeed? Think about the experience, goals, gratitude, learning, mentorship, opportunities, passion, people, values, and vision that can make you and your team winners.

Theresa Szczurek @copyright 2021.  All rights reserved.  [spread the word.]