Page 32 - The EDGE Summer 2025

IT Professionals Moving from a Technical Position into

Leadership Roles

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CISO for a regional credit union, said, "I had Organizational and Systemic Challenges New
to unlearn the idea that I always had to be the IT Leaders Face Bias Against Technologies
smartest person in the room. Now I try to be the in Leadership
most curious instead." Despite the increasing demand for tech-savvy
leaders, a persistent perception exists that
4. The Stategic Mindset Gap technologies lack the "people skills" or business
Technical professionals typically focus on acumen needed for executive leadership. This
providing solutions to problems. Leadership, bias is often reinforced in traditional companies
however, will often require them to operate in with siloed IT departments.
gray areas, making decisions with incomplete
data, and weighing trade-offs. Lack of Structured Pathways
Understanding budgets, regulatory impacts, Many companies lack formal leadership
workforce planning, and competitive threats development programs tailored for IT personnel,

requires a broader, less precise, but more This results in a "learn on the job" approach
visionary mindset. that can lead new managers overwhelmed or set
up for failure.
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32 THE EDGE SUMMER 2025