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As an IT Leader, Are You Predator or Prey?
Business is a hotbed for conflict, and CIOs often find themselves at the center. Tina Nunno, Vice President and Gartner Fellow, familiarizes IT leaders with using Machiavellian tactics as a defensive weapon, and as an offensive weapon in extreme situations, so they can increase IT’s contribution to their enterprises.
About the book
As a CIO, is it better to be liked or respected? How do you distinguish between risk and recklessness? When should you defend your position, and when should you give ground?
The answers may surprise you.
Business is a hotbed for conflict, and CIOs are often at the center. As Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli implied, you're either predator or prey, and the animal you most resemble determines your position on the food chain. Gartner analyst and author Tina Nunno expands on Machiavelli's metaphor, examining seven animal types and their leadership attributes. She posits the wolf — a social animal with strong predatory instincts — as the ideal example of how a leader can adapt and thrive.
Drawing on experience with hundreds of CIOs, Nunno charts a way to master the Machiavellian principles of power, manipulation, love and war. Through compelling case studies, she demonstrates how CIOs and IT leaders can adjust their leadership styles for their own success and that of their teams.
About the author
Tina Nunno is a Vice President and Gartner Fellow specializing in CIO-related management issues including working with the board; executive communication strategies; change leadership; and enterprise governance strategies. She focuses on specific strategies and tactics for managing IT political landmines, power dynamics and the politics of partnering with the rest of the business. Ms. Nunno presents as a keynote speaker at conferences around the world and is a founder of Gartner’s global Women’s CIO Community.
Follow Tina on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/tina-nunno-4875b32/
Are you a “wolf” CIO?
Book reviews
“Tina Nunno is a true visionary in CIO leadership. ‘The Wolf in CIO's Clothing’ arms readers with the battle-ready skills needed to successfully turn a losing battle into a major victory — and to avoid playing defense in the first place. ‘The Wolf in CIO's Clothing’ is a must-read for any aspiring technology leader. Moreover, it's highly recommended for anyone seeking to become a key influencer within their organization.”
Brook Colangelo
SVP and CIO, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
“‘The Wolf in CIO's Clothing’ is an outstanding book for navigating organizational politics. Throughout this quick read, Nunno presents specific ideas on how and when to take extreme measures for the good of the enterprise! This is the one leadership book you will quote, and reference, time and again.”
Linda Kinder
SVP and CIO, Kellwood Co.
“Tina Nunno has captured the essence of skillful IT leadership in ‘The Wolf in CIO's Clothing.’ Our jobs are challenging — managing to find that artful balance between ‘being nice’ and ‘being offensive’ is difficult. Tina clearly articulates why it is important to achieve that balance — it is the key difference-maker for our own IT organizations and ultimately the businesses for which we work. A must-read for any CIO.”
Edwina Payne
VP and CIO, Zimmer Holdings