Published on the 29/08/2013 | Written by Newsdesk
Technology analyst Gartner has announced the programme for its flagship Australian conference and warned CIOs that they need to embrace their inner Machiavelli to succeed…
The theme of this year’s Gartner Expo and Symposium is “leading in a digital world” and the analyst plans to reinforce to the 500-plus CIOs expected to attend that businesses in every sector are now being radically affected by technology. “Previously when people thought of digital business it was industries like media, publishing, banking and retail that sprang to mind, those faced with major disruption to their business model. Now every sector from agriculture to government to mining needs to navigate through this new digital world.”
Pushing ahead with the sorts of change programmes that will be required by many organisations to survive and prosper in the digital age will require CIOs to be both committed and politically astute.
Gartner will encourage CIOs attending the event to embrace their inner Machiavelli. During a CIO-only session Gartner analysts will explore the “extreme politics” that can be associated with IT deployments.
It claims that CIOs often find themselves in extreme political situations which can place them at risk professionally and personally. “In extreme situations, extreme tactics such as manipulation and power plays often apply,” it notes, adding that insights into the thinking of Machiavelli may help.
Members of Gartner Executive Programs can secure additional Machiavellian insights from Tina Nunno, Gartner analyst and author of The Wolf in CIO’s Clothing.
Writing in a recent blog Nunno noted that; “Machiavelli urged leaders to “think like an animal”. So I created a scale of 12 Machiavellian-inspired animals that best describe CIO approaches to power, manipulation, love, and warfare. The scale includes the Owl CIO, Lion CIO and Wolf CIO.”
Nunno’s argument is that the wolf – a social animal with strong predatory instincts – is the best animal role model for how a technology leader can adapt and thrive.
Other speakers for the event include Andrew Walduck, the chief information officer of Australia Post who has led the digital transformation of the business, and leadership expert Dr Marshall Goldsmith.
Gartner’s Symposium/ITxpo will be held on Queensland’s Gold Coast from 28-31 October. Further details are available here.
