𝐋𝐃𝐄: CIO Evolution - Life Beyond the Role

Описание: Host:
Robert Field   / robertmfield  
Guests:
Karen Higgins-Carter   / karen-higgins-carter  
Dr. Janet Sherlock   / janet-sherlock  
Michael Smith   / mwshome  

This episode focused on the personal journeys of leaders as they embraced board positions, portfolio careers, and new forms of impact, all while addressing the emotional and practical realities of leaving a C-level executive seat.

[00:00] Intro
[00:33] Tech Day in Pink: Mission, Growth, and Impact
[05:34] Event Details and Community Engagement
[07:23] Panelist Introductions and Career Overviews
[10:10] Life After CIO: Career Transitions and New Ventures
[14:39] Preparing for the Next Professional Chapter
[18:43] Evolving Identity: Branding Beyond the CIO Role
[22:44] Broadening Business Value and Board Readiness
[28:57] From Operations to Portfolio Careers: New Challenges
[35:07] Finding Purpose and Joy in Post-CIO Careers
[40:17] Overcoming Hurdles to Board Positions
[46:39] Planning Your Transition: Advice for Current CIOs
[50:04] Final Reflections: Emotional Aspects of Transition and Staying Connected
[53:30] Connecting with the Panelists & Closing Remarks

Michael Smith shared the inspiring origin and growth of Tech Day of Pink—a global initiative he founded to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. With participation now over 2 million people and 100 companies globally, the event combines social engagement, education, and philanthropy.

https://www.techdayofpink.org/

🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
🎯 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀: Stepping away from the CIO role requires intentionally redefining your identity and being comfortable letting go of the weight the title carries. Leaders emphasized that adaptability and authenticity are essential as you move into new professional chapters.

🌐 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Cultivating a diverse, robust network is crucial when planning a transition to board or portfolio roles. It was stressed that successful networking should reach beyond other technology executives to include CEOs, leadership peers, and vendor partners.

🧭 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿: Defining your sources of joy, fulfillment, and purpose is foundational. Having clarity about personal and professional goals guides decision-making and provides direction in career transitions.

⌛ 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Moving from operational leadership to portfolio work brings emotional adjustments, including missing daily team interaction and navigating new forms of professional fulfillment. Leaders highlighted the need for purposeful energy management and staying connected to former teams.

💃 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: 🕺
🚀 Michael Smith, who spent decades as a CIO at companies like Nike and Estée Lauder, now owns a professional football club in Northern Ireland, the Carrick Rangers. Running the club involves everything from fan apparel to education—almost everything except tech!

💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
🎯 Michael Smith emphasized that the hardest part about leaving the CIO role was missing the daily interaction and camaraderie with colleagues, noting the importance of being proactive in maintaining those relationships after transitioning. He also encouraged everyone to remember that while the nature of connections changes, finding fulfillment and impact in new contexts remains essential.

🔗 Karen Higgins-Carter pointed out that a portfolio career involved spending more time alone, likening it to the life transition after college, and advised listeners to find new ways to restore their energy and stay connected. She also recommended deliberately managing time and being selective about commitments to ensure ongoing fulfillment and effectiveness.

🌟 Dr. Janet Sherlock cautioned about the emotional aspects of career transition, acknowledging the sense of loss from leaving daily team dynamics and company affiliation, but highlighted the newfound freedom and agency that came with portfolio work. She suggested that proper planning across mental, emotional, and financial areas could make the transition enjoyable, while reinforcing the importance of readiness for such a major change.

🤝 Robert Field reiterated his appreciation for the guests and the value of their collective wisdom, stressing that professionals contemplating transition should consider the advice shared in the event.

👀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆!
You will gain actionable strategies for executive career pivots, hear unfiltered stories of navigating identity shifts and board transitions, and learn how to prepare yourself for leadership beyond the CIO.


𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞:
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