THE WOLF IN CIO'S CLOTHING

As a CIO under fire, is it better to be liked or respected? How do you distinguish between risk and recklessness? When should you defend your position, and when should you give ground? The answers may surprise you.

Business is a hotbed for conflict, and CIOs often find themselves at the center. As Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli implied, you're either predator or prey, and the animal you most resemble determines your position on the food chain. In The Wolf in CIO's Clothing, Gartner analyst and author Tina Nunno expands on Machiavelli's metaphor, examining seven animal types and the leadership attributes of each. She posits the wolf — a social animal with strong predatory instincts — as the ideal example of how a leader can adapt and thrive.

Technology may be black and white, but successful leadership demands an ability to exist in the grey. Drawing on her experience with hundreds of CIOs, Nunno charts a viable way to master the Machiavellian principles of power, manipulation, love and war. Through compelling case studies, her approach demonstrates how CIOs and IT leaders can adjust their leadership styles in extreme situations for their own success and that of their teams.

Tina Nunno is a research vice president and Gartner Fellow at Gartner, Inc., the world's largest information technology research and advisory company, responsible for conducting research and developing publications aimed at helping CIOs and their organizations globally, to improve their performance and contribution. She specializes in CIO-related management issues including working with the board of directors, executive communication strategies, change leadership and enterprise governance strategies.

Ms. Nunno's most recent research deals with navigating complex CIO decisions and sensitive organizational politics issues. She focuses on specific strategies and tactics for managing IT political land mines, power dynamics, and the politics of partnering with the rest of the business. She presents as a keynote speaker at conferences around the world, has co-authored Gartner's Annual CIO survey research, and is one of the founders of Gartner's global Women's CIO Community. Ms. Nunno has a degree in history from Yale University, and a MPA from The American University in Washington, D.C.