You must lead the way for technology and business to communicate for a change. And for the change to mean anything, you are going to have to change the environment in which all this talking is taking place.

The number one issue for CIOs working within the C-Suite, according to your peers, is translating “technology speak” to business impact. It’s time to learn how to effectively connect, engage and align with lines of business to gain their commitment to technology by improving your communication skills and strategies.

It’s not what you don’t know or overlook that bites you as a leader. It’s what is right in front of you that you choose to ignore. Two changes will change everything

You don’t need to communicate IT in a language business understands to demonstrate the value of IT. Instead, you must help LOB communicate business in a language that IT understands.

Old-school CEOs need to be re-educated by CIOs who only know how to be lifelong learners, innovators and adaptors. The key is understanding the difference between mindset and mentality, between what they view and how they see.

CIOs are qualified to become CEOs because of one outstanding quality that is supported by four demonstrable skills.