Gartner Research

5 Fatal Pitfalls New CIOs Must Avoid

Published: 01 May 2023

Summary

CIOs new to the role or to an enterprise have 100 days to make an impact and position themselves with a smooth runway to success. Five common pitfalls made by incoming CIOs can prove fatal to their effectiveness, satisfaction, and ultimately, tenure in the role.

Included in Full Research

Overview

Key Findings
  • Pitfall 1: You build a brand that your enterprise is not interested in.

  • Pitfall 2: You make assumptions about the capabilities and capacities of IT.

  • Pitfall 3: You take action to improve how IT is perceived, based on fragmented and biased feedback.

  • Pitfall 4: You underestimate the importance of enterprise culture and politics.

  • Pitfall 5: You fail to focus on the importance of being a change leader.

Recommendations

CIOs striving to be successful as new executive leaders in their enterprises should:

  • Build credibility and a brand that sets the tone and direction for what they will accomplish by determining both their

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