Looking for an Edge?

As promised last month, I am introducing some variety to the blog. In addition to my usual focus on current topics in talent management and executive development, I will provide news and insights from my time in Asia and also shine more light on my collaboration with Graham Waller of Gartner, Inc.

Our book (co-written with K/F alum Karen Rubenstrunk), The CIO Edge, comes out in early November. In it, we chronicle our reasearch into the key differentiators of success for the best CIOs in business and industry. Our resounding conclusion is that while business acumen and technological savvy are important ingredients for success, the difference-maker is a strong command of seven specific interpersonal skills. Applying these skills has an exponential impact on the CIOs ability to create value and deliver results across the enterprise.

For more information, check out the Facebook page for the book:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CIO-Edge/140710635971417?ref=search&v=wall#!/pages/CIO-Edge/140710635971417?v=wall&ref=search

Also, Graham will be doing a regular blog:

http://blogs.gartner.com/graham-waller

...and I will be providing a response to his thoughts.

On that note, regardless of whether you are in the IT space or another field or functional area, ask yourself if you are getting results based primarily on your technical capabilites or your people skills. If your answer is raw capability, then consider what opportunities and outcomes you might be forgoing by leaning on your technical capabilities. Likewise, ask yourself how things might be different if you were to expand your comfort zone and add to your reperatoire of leadership skills.

Please join in the conversation with Graham and I. We look forward to the dialogue.