It has been a while that I have been wanting to write about conflict management and negotiation. And after a coaching session I had with a client last week, I felt encouraged to finally put my thoughts into words. Horizontal vs Vertical Development In leadership development we often distinguish between horizontal development, which is building skills, models, and techniques, and…
This is the third and final article in my series exploring the stages of the CIO journey. In the first piece, we looked at the Emerging or Aspiring CIO stepping from expert to confident leader. In the second, we explored the Established CIO sustaining performance and expanding influence. Now we turn to the Evolving CIO, the legacy builders, those ready…
This article is for the Established CIO, the experienced technology leader who has already proven themselves many times over, yet still faces new pressures and expectations in today’s environment. The Reality for Established CIOs If you are an established CIO, you know the pressures well. You are delivering transformation, keeping operations secure, managing budgets, and holding together a talented but…
This article is for the Emerging or Aspiring CIO, whether you are newly promoted and finding your footing, or preparing to step into the role in the near future. Acknowledging Today’s CIO Landscape CIOs in 2025 are under enormous pressure. Gartner’s latest CIO Report shows that leaders are expected to scale AI initiatives beyond pilots, strengthen data foundations, and defend…
I have seen countless articles and videos on LinkedIn and elsewhere explaining the difference between a coach and a mentor. For a while, I felt there was no need to write another one. Perhaps that is because I am a coach myself, so this type of content appears on my feed more often than on others. But to my surprise,…
AI is transforming business. But leadership is still human work. Emotional intelligence, ethical decision making, and communication skills are what set great CIOs apart. Technology has always been about acceleration, faster processing, faster connections, faster change. But the velocity of artificial intelligence has introduced a new kind of challenge for CIOs: how to remain deeply human while stewarding organisations into…
The key capabilities every tech leader must develop now to stay ahead in the AI era. According to the World Economic Forum, the age of AI is not only redefining technical skill sets but also reshaping what it means to lead. In this era, success is no longer about mastering every emerging technology. It is about cultivating the human capabilities…
The Mindful CIO is more than a technology leader. They are a navigator of complexity, a strategic thinker, and a human-centred decision-maker. 🧠You are a navigator of complexity In a world of rapid transformation, AI disruption, and ethical crossroads, the Mindful CIO doesn’t just react. They lead with clarity. Complexity isn’t something to fear. It’s something to thoughtfully…
The dilemma How can we position Australia well in the global AI landscape, encourage AI adoption and leverage its benefits for greater innovation/productivity while protecting citizens and minimizing risks? AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association). I felt honoured to join such an important discussion and to learn about the latest efforts from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in that space. Hats off…
Feedback is hard to give and it’s hard to receive. I’m referring to constructive or developmental feedback. Based on my experience coaching C-Suite executives and running leadership workshops for emerging-senior leaders at AIM (Australian Institute of Management) I can say that giving constructive feedback is seen as a daunting task for many. Even seasoned leaders will often postpone having…
