MEETING THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES OF TODAY'S IT PROFESSIONALS

Session Speaker: Bruce A. Metz, PhD

In order to help their institutions realize the value from information technology (IT) investments, IT professionals - including executives, managers and aspiring IT leaders alike - must deal with a range of increasingly difficult leadership challenges that go well beyond technology. This session will provide valuable insight into the most significant challenges IT leaders face and the key skills IT leaders must possess to meet the challenges successfully. The presentation will emphasize two critical areas: 1) dealing effectively with organizational change enabled by IT, and 2) developing ones own leadership abilities. Key learning objectives of the session include: 1) Participants will become familiar with often overlooked, seldom taught but critical soft skills such as how to build trust and solid working relationships in and outside IT; how to inspire and motivate IT staff; and how to influence others without having formal authority; 2) Participants will understand the specific characteristics that make IT-enabled organizational change so difficult to navigate in the 21st century and how these characteristics apply to their institution; 3) Participants will gain knowledge about how they can expand their IT leadership role to be at the forefront of helping their institutions benefit from new opportunities made possible by IT; and 4) Participants will develop an appreciation for the value of a personal leadership development plan as well as how to create such a plan to enhance their leadership abilities on an ongoing basis. Audience participation will be encouraged so that attendees can share their experiences about leadership challenges and comment on central points about the issues and "soft" skills that are discussed.