IT Leaders Can Shine?

I recently read an article which contains quotes from Tony Scott, CIO of Microsoft; which, to me, speaks volumes regarding the current state of the IT / business relationships. 

In this article, Mr. Scott not only alludes to the fact that CIO’s are separate from other ‘C-level Colleagues’, but he also has the gall to posit that IT has historically been the focal point for ‘first-line’ cost and other operational savings, and that IT should be ‘used to it’ because they have been in this situation for 8+ years.

My position is that this view is the exact opposite of what the view should be. To me, IT should be viewed as a trusted partner for all business units and C-level leadership should be viewed as a whole, not by function alone.

ALL lines of business rely on IT, and this is NOT the time for IT to once again maintain the status quo of being the de facto department for quick and easy cost savings initiatives. This is, however, the time for IT to step out of the cost-center stigma and rise to the occasion.

With proper leadership and vision, this can be readily achieved.

With that said, I also feel that there is an immediate need for a ‘refresh’ of IT leadership and management talent and it is imperative that this happens sooner than later.

Today’s dynamic nature of business and technology ‘should’ force existing IT leaders to either acclimate or step away; both of which are not currently occurring; to the detriment of both IT and business.

Due to this fact, the onus falls on the other C-level individuals to force this issue…