Focus on the external world. Work backward from where the industry and the competition are headed. Pay attention to what matters to the consumer, and always drive to create value based on what the business needs to succeed. -- Katherine E. Busser, CIO, U.S. card division; vice president, Capital One Financial Corp., Richmond, Va.
A leader once told me, "Take care of the company's best interests and the company will take care of yours." I took that thought to heart, and for the most part, it has worked well for me. -- Julie F. Butcher, vice president of information technology, MDC Holdings Inc., Centennial, Colo.
The most valuable career advice I have ever received is to be persistent in the face of adversity. I received this advice from Joe Ambrozy, who was CIO at Bell Atlantic. He advised me not to worry about making people happy and building consensus when my mission is to support the objectives of the business. The agendas of others may conflict with and run counter to my agenda. Accordingly, I have learned to stay the course and face adversity head-on. -- Robert G. Holstein, CIO and vice president for IT, National Public Radio, Washington
The most valuable pieces of career advice I've ever received center around respect and integrity. Specifically, treat everyone -- at all levels -- with respect... especially when delivering difficult messages. I've also learned that maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be the difference between short- and long-term success. -- Guy Chiarello, CIO and chief technology officer, Morgan Stanley Securities; Morgan Stanley, New York
Commitment, dedication, honesty and hard work always pay off in the end, not necessarily in financial terms, but in personal satisfaction and fulfillment. -- Eric Gorham, director of IT, Regional Justice Information Service, St. Louis
Whatever your job, you should communicate clearly and honestly. And whatever you say you are going to do, follow through and do it. These 'simple' things will help very effectively build and maintain your credibility. (And the absence of them can quickly lose it for you!) -- T. Charles Hunsinger, vice president of software engineering, Corporate Express Inc., Broomfield, Colo.
Gain as much mastery in managing conversations as you can. Everything significant that happens occurs as a result of a conversation -- either the one you are having with others or the one you are having with yourself. -- Tom H. Scott, executive vice president of operations and CIO, Direct Holdings Worldwide LLC, Virginia Beach, Va.
Embrace, in fact, cherish diversity. Seek those who do and think differently than yourself. -- Hap M. Cluff, director of IT, City of Norfolk, Va.
When things aren't going according to plan, don't panic. Two weeks from now, no one will remember or care. -- Bill Regehr, senior vice president of IT and CIO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Atlanta
Always take responsibility for your own career development. You may have mentors or sponsors, but ultimately you are responsible for your own career progression by taking responsibilities and creating opportunities. -- John F. Fisher, senior vice president and CIO, SmithBucklin Corp., Chicago
The most valuable advice I received was to be honest in your business dealings, have integrity, don't deceive people, and most of all, you never know who your next boss will be. -- Mark H. Griesbaum, CIO, Career Education Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Advice from my father: Make your job your hobby, because you will spend most of your time doing it and you might as well enjoy it! -- Paul M. de Graaff, chief information security architect, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., New York
Integrity is what you do when nobody's watching. -- Mark A. Resmer, chief technology officer, Whitney University, Dallas
2006 Premier 100 IT Leaders
Stories in this report:
- 2006 Premier 100 IT Leaders
- How They Were Chosen
- Premier 100 IT Leaders Honor Roll
- Defining Leadership
- IT Heroes
- People First
- Quiz: Are YOU A Top-Tier Leader?
- Words of Wisdom
- Agile By Design
- Cohesive Compliance
- Security Imperative
- Managing Megaprojects
- Foreign Challenge
- Succeeding at Storage
- Speed of Business
- Rebecca A. Blalock: IT Convert
- Terry P. Brooks: Multitask Manager
- Julie F. Butcher: Master Organizer
- Barbara D. Carlini: Agent of Change
- Lev S. Gonick: Community Liason
- John Sullivan: IT Adventurer
- George C. Rimnac: Disciplined Leader
- Mark Popolano: Master of Details
- William Westrate: Tech Strategist
- Elizabeth Hackenson: Business Booster
- In Memoriam: Gerard Higgins
- Protege Profile: Steve Yon
- Ask A Premier 100 IT Leader: Wendell Fox
- The Next Generation of IT
- Protege Profile: Allison Young
- Protege Profile: Michael R. Dean
- Protege Profile: Jairo Orea
- Protege Profile: Bill McCorey
- Protege Profile: Martin Schneider
- Work That Makes Them Cringe
- Leader Do-Overs
- Shark tank: Some Lead, Some Don't
- Data Points: Premier 100 IT Leaders 2006
- Executive Brief: IT Management Best Practices
- Webcast: Secrets of Superspies
- Webcast: The Passionate Pursuit of IT and Business Alignment
- Webcast: Evolving Through Abstraction: On the Way to Utility Computing