Succeeding in a digital business world requires a workforce that is inspired, engaged and ready to take on new ways of working. CIOs can leverage this resource by ensuring their leadership acknowledges that the No. 1 priority is people, both individuals and teams, and that they must develop, execute and communicate a plan that puts people at the center. This includes ensuring that the IT organization has the right combination of skills, competencies and experience. CIOs can build a high-performance workforce by taking a comprehensive view and approach to their people practices.

At Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo®, CIOs and IT executives will learn how to differentiate cultural characteristics from operating model constructs, and recruit and retain the talent needed to succeed in a highly competitive business environment. Below are answers to some of the most pressing leadership, people and culture questions as well as highlighted sessions at this year’s conference.

Q&A with Gartner experts Chet Geschickter, VP Analyst, and Suzanne Adnams, VP Analyst, on leadership, people and culture

How have leadership and culture evolved since last year? Have you noticed any major changes in strategies or approaches IT executives undertake?

We are seeing increasing demand for change leadership guidance not just for IT but at an enterprise level. Leaders are becoming more aware of the need to have an enterprise approach to culture change, not just within IT if they want to succeed in a digital business environment. Culture continues to be a label that is often applied to process and procedural challenges. As leaders start to differentiate cultural characteristics from operating model constructs, they will start to make progress on both.

How important do you think people, culture and diversity are when it comes to digital business transformation?

Digital business transformation is highly dependent on having an inspired and engaged workforce that is ready to take on new ideas, learn new ways of working and build new relationships. Developing an appropriate workplace culture that demonstrates diversity and inclusion provides an environment for change to happen.

What’s one of the biggest mistakes organizations make when it comes to changing organizational culture?

There is a false belief that culture can be changed by deciding to do so, or that it’s possible to adopt a culture from another organization and have it work the same way. Culture is not something that can be directed or mandated. It emerges as a result of a number of other factors that will be unique to each organization. Learning how to shape culture is more important than trying to change culture.

Finish this sentence: If organizations don’t establish the right culture for digital business, they will …

... find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain the knowledge and resources that they need to succeed in a highly competitive business environment.

Leadership, people and culture spotlight sessions from 2019

Understand and Change Your Organization’s Culture Using Gartner’s PRISM - Daniel Sanchez Reina Sr Director Analyst

Making Diversity and Inclusion Cultural Imperatives - De'Onn Griffin Sr Director Analyst

The CIO’s Essential Guide to Digital Product Management - Peter Skyttegaard Sr Director Analyst

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