A recent roundtable of your CIO peers exposed six common frustrations CEOs have with IT and six practical responses that help you calm the storm.

CIOs and leaders commit four errors when speaking that fuel the frustration that they are not being heard and feed the belief that people are not interested in what they have to say.

People have fears, uncertainties and doubts that drive their decision making and perception. The effective CIO and IT leader knows how to uncover what is driving a person in order to help and in order to protect their career. It’s not a soft skill, it’s an essential, executive strategy.

Technology leaders and marketers are “seated next to each other” at the table. Both share mindsets, points of focus and communication needs. The effective technology leader will expand their professional skills to nail sales insights and strategies.

The best leaders know what their strategic needs are. They know specifically what the CEO can do for them. No CIO should be caught unaware. Knowing your needs in four areas will ensure that you are always prepared with a great response.

Retention is a real issue being met with weak solutions. You and your employees need an advocate, one who comes alongside another and promotes their success in areas of personal growth, relational health and work-effectiveness.