5app and Freeform Dynamics release new report titled 'The Post-Pandemic CIO: views on leadership, communication and engagement'
Learning platform 5app and Freeform Dynamics, an IT industry analyst firm, in collaboration with CIO WaterCooler, a networking community for IT leaders and technologists, release a new report titled 'The Post-Pandemic CIO: Views on leadership, communication and engagement'.
London, UK, 1 March 2022 - Learning platform 5app and Freeform Dynamics, an IT industry analyst firm, in collaboration with CIO WaterCooler, a networking community for IT leaders and technologists, release a new report titled 'The Post-Pandemic CIO: Views on leadership, communication and engagement'.
The report highlights that over 60% of IT leaders believe that the future outlook of work is overall positive with both IT staff and end users better geared up for home or hybrid working.
With CIOs regrouping, and 4 out or 5 getting back to strategic initiatives, key priorities for 2022 include:
- investing in new people and skills within IT (81% of respondents)
- transforming or re-focusing IT teams (72%).
Tony Lock, Distinguished Analyst at Freeform Dynamics, comments "IT teams have been under a lot of pressure over the past two years, meaning IT leaders have had to proactively manage the motivation, health and wellbeing of their people more than ever before. The experience and habits CIOs have picked up along the way, however, makes them much better armed to lead their teams into the future".
"The report reveals that CIOs see developing people skills as important" says Duncan Barrett, Head of Product at 5app. "There is an opportunity for CIOs to adopt a thought leadership role in this area and promote best practices across the business. Platforms like 5app, that help to create a learning culture and support significant transformational change programs, have big part to play".
Other key report findings
The pandemic turned the spotlight on people as individuals
Over the course of the recent healthcare crisis, CIOs generally felt they got closer to the people who work for them, creating greater understanding and empathy, and strengthening relationships.
The increased focus on people remains valuable as change continues
As CIOs transition from crisis mode and look to the future, most see a need to transform the way their teams operate so they are better equipped to support the business going forward into a world of uncertainty.
The need for CIOs to develop their own skills is key
CIOs particularly highlight the need for enhanced skills in areas such as leadership, motivation, persuasion, negotiation and general relationship management. The amount of time CIOs allocate to self-development is on average about half of what they’d ideally like.
The post-pandemic CIO role will be more people-centric
Maintaining a focus on morale, motivation and wellbeing is not just good for the employee, it also leads to business benefits in areas such as productivity, creativity and staff-retention. The CIO has a key role to play in driving this, both within the IT organisation and across the business as a whole.
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Notes to editor
The report was released in February 2022 based on a survey of 52 UK-based IT Leaders (members of the exclusive CIO Watercooler network) working in large and mid-sized enterprises across a range of industries. The full report can be accessed here.
About Freeform Dynamics
Freeform Dynamics is an IT industry analyst firm. Through our research and insights, we help busy IT and business professionals get up to speed on
the latest technology developments and make better-informed investment decisions.
For more information, visit www.freeformdynamics.com
About CIO WaterCooler
The CIO WaterCooler is a free, open and supportive community that provides resources to help IT leaders develop and identify solutions, gain knowledge from their peers and build networks to support them in becoming leaders in both their industry and business.
For more information, visit www.ciowatercooler.co.uk