Top 10 CIO Qualities 2013

The nationwide tidal shift to EHRs has broadened and increased the scope of responsibilities for CIOs and, consequently, we see an increase in the leadership roles surrounding the CIO. In 2012 we saw the acceptance of the chief medical information officer (CMIO), as a critical figure in the deployment of an EHR. In 2013 we anticipate that many health systems will embrace the CIO and CMIO as a leadership team to ensure that the impact of information technology on quality of care is understood beyond the deployment of EHRs. We see additional surrounding leadership roles, such as the chief security officer (CSO), the chief technology officer (CTO), VP of business systems, or a chief data officer. The CIO will need trusted partnerships to accomplish the vast array of objectives. Importantly, these partnerships facilitate an understanding of the relationship between hospital quality and efficiency and the critical role of technology as part of that relationship. 

4. Organizational Awareness

Hospitals must be nimble and react quickly to new realities. Whether you are a CIO of a complex healthcare system or a single hospital, you must be proficient at managing change. “Organizational awareness” is critical to managing effective change and making positive performance shifts. Understanding how leadership functions and performs within the organization, its policies, procedures, and understanding the potential of what can be achieved as well as the specific results that are needed and how to navigate the organization to best achieve those results. A highly matrixed organization requires a high degree of organizational awareness. Those organizations that may be involved in mergers and acquisition activities require a high degree of organizational awareness. Leaders of newly merged organizations may find they need new innovative skill sets from health IT leadership. This important skill set will be key as M&A activity is expected to increase in 2013. It is a new, key addition to hit the 2013 list.

3. Communicate a Vision

This skill, at number 3, points to the greater impact IT has on healthcare organizations.  Outstanding CIOs know how to help create and communicate a vision. EHR transformations involve a large number of people and vision is needed so everyone can understand what is driving that change. Communicating and getting buy-in for a vision helps the CIO connect with key stakeholders and then develop a strategy for accomplishing the vision with their support.  This is true leadership. It defines a destination, a defined end-game, that people find worth-while to pursue. This vision helps people work toward something together.

2. Set the Stage for Transformation 

True leadership is needed to create change. Once the framework is laid and all of the pieces are in place, leading CIOs know how to set the stage for the hard work ahead. These CIOs know how to remove obstacles. Creating a clear path for the transformation requires careful listening skills right at the very time many leaders are being asked to race ahead. Creating this clear path sets the final stage for readiness. This is where much needed enthusiasm and energy builds to launch the project forward.

1. Transform 

We are currently living the greatest transformation of the American healthcare system that we will see in our lifetimes, and it is happening right in the CIO’s backyard. Incremental change is within the reach of most, but the exceptional CIOs will springboard their organizations into the future by defining the future state and getting stakeholders to fall in line behind the plan to get there. These individuals will bring tremendous value to their organizations. They lay the groundwork, build the teams, communicate the vision, and when they execute on the vision, transformation takes place. These are the CIOs who lead and serve as role models for the industry.

Pamela Dixon is managing partner and Steve Nilsen is general manager of SSI-Search, Atlanta.