Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

Leadership takes a certain level of boldness that not many people can achieve, but even with that boldness, many leaders are still afraid to say what they think and be honest about their experiences. Then there’s Wendy Pfeiffer, CIO at Nutanix. Wendy is known for her courage to say what everyone else is thinking and sharing what’s on her heart. That radical transparency and courage is what sets her apart from her peers, and as a CIO, makes her uniquely poised to handle the ever-changing job expectations that can sometimes evolve even faster than the world around it.  In this episode, we discuss:How CIOs can deal with the increasing pressure and responsibilities placed on themHow to build and run a highly effective IT team despite a tightly-constricted budgetWhy leaders should prioritize one-on-ones with their team membersHow to speak from your heart even when it may put you at riskPredictions for the next 10 years in tech leadership

Recruiting the best technology talent has been on everyone’s mind throughout 2022, and CIOs still struggle to find the very best talent to their teams that are not only experts in their field, but also a perfect fit for the organization. So we’ve invited two of the top executive recruiters, Martha Heller and Art Hopkins, to unpack everything you should be considering as your team looks to bring on the best talent possible in 2023.Martha Heller is the CEO of Heller Search Associates, and the author of several books including Be the Business and The CIO Paradox. She is a thought leader in the CIO and recruitment space, and shares her knowledge through the monthly newsletter, Movers and Shakers.Art Hopkins is global co-leader of the Technology Officers Practice for Russell Reynolds Associates and is a member of Board & CEO Advisory Partners. He brings expertise in the CTIO, digital, data, and CTO roles, as well as diversity and inclusion best practices. In this episode, we discuss:What qualities hiring authorities are looking for in technology leadersHow to properly assess a candidate’s desire to leave their current role and their interest in the role they’re applying forThe right and wrong questions people are asking around technology talentHow to acknowledge and own when you’ve been fired in the past.

Ensuring a smooth transition between an outgoing and incoming CxO is one of the most complex projects for any organization to take on, but Owens Corning CIO, Steve Zerby, is taking a different approach.Steve has more than doubled the average CIO tenure during his time at Owens Corning, with the key to his success being his dedication to investing in his team members to ensure that as Owens Corning finds success, so do his people. Annie Baymiller is one of those people, currently serving as a VP of IT and a Market-Facing Digital Leader for Owens Corning. After a legendary 36-year career as CIO at Owens Corning, Steve is preparing to hand the reins to Annie, so we’ve invited both of them to talk about what it really means to craft a high-quality succession plan and how strong mentorship can make or break any leadership transition.In this episode, we discuss:What it means to consider succession as the end of a journey, rather than the beginning of a new oneHow to build a great organizational culture as a data leader to become a great place to workThe importance of matching the actual employee experience to the promised “brochure” experience.Why the greatest technology leaders focus far more on their people than their technology

What kind of career experience, confidence, and leadership capability does it take to have a company’s CTO, CIO, and CDO all report directly to you? As Teladoc’s Chief Innovation Officer, Claus T. Jensen is the answer. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, he has 17 patents to his name, and has published six books, including the most recent, Digital Transformation for Dummies.Throughout his career, which includes experience in all the roles that now report to him, Jensen has become expert at leading multi-year transformations. He brings his unique talents and skills to the table to help companies get to the next level.Join us as we discuss:Creating a healthcare experience that is more personalized, connected, and meaningfulWhy leaders need to deal with the “pink elephant” in the roomRecruiting the right multidisciplinary talentSuccessful learning programs for developing talentThe importance of living out one’s values as a leader More information about Claus T. Jensen and today’s topics:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claustorpjensen/ Company Website: https://www.teladoc.com/ 

Leadership accomplishments are always significant, but when put in the grander context of a leader’s journey, that significance can increase dramatically. How does someone find the inspiration and motivation to become a global leader in digital and transformational leadership having come from a small town in India, where he was raised by his mother? Sanjib Sahoo, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Digital Officer at Ingram Micro, joins our show to share insights from his career journey, how he took hold of his life to build a successful career, and how his team’s work at Ingram Micro is transforming the way people engage with technology. In this episode, we discuss: How experience-driven organizations should think about digitization and personalization How Sanjib led the development of XVantage, Ingram Micro’s new integration platform and digital operating model, from vision to reality in only 15 months Building trust with senior executives before trying to drive business transformation How Vision, Convocation, Credibility, Communication, and Compassion all work together in transformational leadership The importance of continued learning and growth for digital and technology leaders More information about Sanjib and today’s topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjibsahoodigital/ Company Website: https://corp.ingrammicro.com/ About XVantage: https://media.ingrammicro.com/

The military is often regarded as the best leadership development organization in the world, and for good reason. Discipline, focus, accountability, execution, planning, vision, and more are vital components of any successful military member, and they translate into civilian life in profound ways. Digital leaders need to simultaneously understand the grand vision and what their team is seeing from their boots-on-the-ground perspective. Like military leaders, they also need to be able to support their teams, execute under pressure, and make the tough calls when necessary. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we bring together three powerhouse CIOs and military veterans: Mike Goodwin, CIO of PetSmart and former Army officer Woody Groton, CIO of Draper and Brigade Commander for the Army National Guard DiAnna Thimjon, CxO mentor, four-time CTO/CIO, and former Army officer In this episode, these IT leaders share how their military experience has shaped their careers and discuss the skills tomorrow’s digital leaders need in order to get ahead. Join us as we explore: How military leadership experience can inform civilian leadership The importance of supporting team members by asking for input and providing logistical support The importance of reacting well and executing plans well, even if they aren’t perfect How veterans contribute to the workforce Maintaining a “complete-the-mission mindset” while also avoiding burnout Balancing leadership soft skills and teachability with technical skill expertise

What does it mean to be a trailblazing CIO in one of the biggest and most celebrated sports organizations in America, the National Football League (NFL)? How can a digital leader leave their mark in such a complex organization with countless moving parts to manage every day? Michelle McKenna, Founder & CEO of the Michelle McKenna Collaborative, served as the first-ever CIO for the NFL and its first female C-suite executive. She went on to achieve a number of other “firsts” during 10 seasons with the organization before she stepped away in April of 2022. In addition to driving digital transformation and launching new businesses, Michelle led the league through the 2020 virtual draft and the 2020 season during a global pandemic. She spearheaded the implementation of new technologies and processes that have led to better experiences for players, coaches, refs and fans alike. Michelle knows what it takes to think differently about the possibilities of technology and how to create a powerful legacy of digital leadership. Join us as we discuss: How Michelle laid out a 10-year plan during her interview process How to shape the role you’re interviewing for before you’re hired Why all tech projects are really about the human experience Why digital leaders need the curiosity and courage to move out of their comfort zones How Michelle led her team through complex production and operational challenges Some of the unique moments Michelle experienced while working on the field How Michelle led the charge to replace sideline printers for play information with digital tablets  More information about Michelle and today’s topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-mckenna-194472a/ Company Website: https://www.mckennacollaborative.com/

As businesses embrace more digital technology and tools to drive revenue and transform their operations, CEOs are expecting their tech leaders to step up to a new role: transformation leader. This elevation in the organization requires not just a technology leadership mindset but also a business leadership mindset.To make that transition successfully, it takes a true visionary, someone who is dialed in to what the business needs and proactively anticipates and guides innovation rather than waiting around for marching orders. It takes the ability to lead with grace, empathy, and confidence even while under extreme pressure to perform. Rich Gilbert, Aflac’s Chief Transformation Officer, is the embodiment of this kind of executive.While Rich’s career journey has spanned technology leadership roles at a number of major companies, he’s now not only responsible for the digital services organization at Aflac but also its largest P&L. In this episode, recorded at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards, he draws on his experience to share how to break through glass walls, create business value as a digital executive, and lead through an inspiring vision.Join us as we discuss:How to develop and cast a grand vision and inspire your team to embrace itThe importance of iteration and starting from the right place when tackling goalsRich’s secret sauce for leading with grace even while under extreme pressureThe story behind Aflac’s famous mascot, the Aflac Duck More information about Rich and today’s topics:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richlgilbert/Company Website: https://www.aflac.com/

The best digital leaders know how to build loyalty within their teams by extending trust, leading with intentionality, and always seeking constructive feedback so they can grow. Without these elements, leaders risk a major disconnect between how they lead their teams and how their teams operate — which can damage productivity and, ultimately, business outcomes.Our guest this week is Sabina Ewing, Global CIO and VP of Business & Technology for Abbott, a Fortune 86 company and a global leader in the healthcare industry. Sabina is acutely aware of the fact that when you’re responsible for leading such a massive organization, intentionality is a prerequisite. It’s how she artfully juggles the seemingly unmanageable demands placed upon a global CIO while nurturing and balancing high EQ and IQ.Join us as we discuss:The importance of managing your personal brand by continuously soliciting feedback, leading with intentionality, creating impact, and refining your executionWhy you should honor the legacy of your organization and how to carry it on through your leadershipHow V.I.C. Initiatives can help aspiring tech leaders advance in their careersThe need for creating loyalty and building trust within your teamMore information about Sabina and today’s topics:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ewing/ Company Website: https://www.abbott.com/ 

We had an incredible opportunity to sit down in person with Ralph Loura, the SVP CIO at Lumentum, for a special two-part conversation at The CIO 100 Awards in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Ralph’s leadership journey encompasses some of the most well-known technology and consumer products companies around. Along the way, he’s been recognized time and again as an inspiring, transformational CIO whose innovative approaches create real business value. But that’s not all there is to Ralph Loura. He also plays a few other vital “roles” for his team: the Chief Truth Telling Officer, Chief Storytelling Officer, Chief Motivation Officer, and the Chief Sustainability Officer. In part one, we open up Ralph’s playbook to unpack his superpowers of truth-telling and storytelling, and how he cuts through the noise to communicate effectively and with clarity. In part two, we explore how Ralph motivates his teams as well as his work to improve sustainability in the tech industry. Join us for part 1 as we discuss: How to earn a “seat at the table” in significant conversations and meetings How to take inspiration from multiple sources to focus on solving problems in unique ways How leaders become more effective when they get out of the mix and widen their perspective. Why leaders need to cut through the noise with clear communication so their team can unite around a clear mission in order to collaborate and innovate The importance of research, preparation, and “the meeting before the meeting” when making big decisions More information about Ralph Loura and today’s topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphloura/ Company Website: https://www.lumentum.com