Get on a Board - The Next Career Frontier

This IDC Perspective discusses how digital capability has become increasingly critical in the corporate boardroom. We owe it to our industry to be active participants in the strategic governance conversations that will enable the future, but it is not as simple as putting up your hand. CIOs who want to take on that next level of career service - joining a board of directors - need to build an intentional strategy to achieve that goal.We, as the digital leaders in our respective sectors, have lagged behind; boards continue to rely on external advisors on digital topics rather than recruiting directors with the competency to support digital conversations. Our time to bring key competencies into the boardroom is now.Securing a board appointment is not a quick or easy pursuit. Start by intentionally being seen as board ready, both in terms of active entry-level board appointments and through demonstrating the right level of insight and focus. Board appointments generally arise through networks and a reputation for having the right skills. Strengthen your board readiness by demonstrating relevant expertise in your work and cultivating meaningful professional connections."Whether you are considering board service as an interesting extension of your CIO career, or you are looking for it to be a new next career trajectory, it is both challenging and rewarding to successfully move into the next level of engagement," says Alizabeth Calder, adjunct research advisor for IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP). "The conversations are different, and the opportunity to have an impact is huge. The key questions are a critical differentiator when a CIO gets in the boardroom. Bringing insight in the questions you ask is what gets you from your first boardroom to a full board portfolio. Take advantage of board-level readings and courses to build a strong perspective on the right kind of 'key questions.'" "We have all experienced frustration when our boards seem to be missing opportunities or lacking the insight to bravely take on the future. We have it in our ranks to change that. Go boldly!"