CIOs are often expected to communicate vision, but what have you learned about effective listening during your leadership journey?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a CIO is that listening is just as—if not more—important than communicating vision. It’s easy to get caught up in driving strategy, but real impact comes from understanding the challenges, frustrations, and ideas of the people on the ground. I’ve found that the best insights often come from informal conversations rather than structured meetings. Being present, asking the right questions, and creating spaces where people feel safe to speak up makes all the difference. Sometimes, it’s not about having the answer but about making sure people feel heard and empowered to be part of the solution.

That a leaders role is not to do all the talking - and certainly not have all the answers.

Sometimes a leaders role is simply to ask questions, let the people they are talking do work through vocally, and then draw a conclusion. 

If the only way people hear a vision is from top down, they stop listening.