I had an enjoyable discussion with a client a couple weeks ago, the COO of a multi-billion company.  We were talking about IT leadership and how there really isn't a difference between what a CIO does as a leader and what CEOs and other CXOs do as leaders.

 

"I really don't do anything" he confidently admitted.  I laughed in agreement.  I then shared with him that I teach CIOs how to work themselves out of a job.  He nodded in understanding.

 

It's true.  The most effective leaders understand the concept of working yourself out of a job.  They know the enormous impact it can have on their people, on their own results and on business performance.

 

There is one major hurdle most leaders have to overcome in working themselves out of a job.  Trust.  You have to have the right people...people that you trust in...and that trust in you.

 

Here are four questions to keep yourself busy throughout 2008 (since you won't have much to do now anyway):

     > Do I have the right people?

     > Are they in the right roles?

     > Are they focused on the right things?

     > Are they delivering the right results?

 

It's important to know that true leadership isn't for the faint of heart.  Beyond trust, true leadership requires clear vision, humility and the ability to face reality.  This includes developing the ability to make tough decisions for the right reasons.  (Refer to the four questions again.)

 

If you're a CIO, make 2008 the year you work yourself out of a job.  Your people will grow.  The business will grow.  And you too will be able to confidently admit that you really don't do anything.

 

But, you will truly understand why centuries ago Lao Tzu wrote "When the best leader's work is done, the people say 'We did it ourselves'".

 

Here's to 2008!  The year of Less Work...More Growth!