The Evolution of the CIO Role in the Modern World
9 July 2025
On June 10, Global CIO hosted an international networking session titled "The Evolution of the CIO Role in the Modern World." IT leaders from Singapore, India, Brazil, Kazakhstan and other countries joined the discussion to explore how expectations for CIOs are shifting, and which competencies are now seen as essential.
The event was built around data: survey results from the Global CIO community revealed that negotiation, communication, change management, and leadership are now among the most in-demand skills for IT executives. But more than that, the discussion turned into something deeper: an honest reflection on how CIOs need to reinvent themselves to meet the challenges of today's digital enterprise.
From Tech Gatekeeper to Strategic Growth Partner
Over the past decade, the role of the CIO has undergone a profound transformation. Traditionally, CIOs focused on infrastructure uptime, cost control, and IT maintenance. But modern enterprises expect far more. CIOs are now tasked with driving digital transformation and revenue-generating initiatives, often partnering closely with the CEO, CFO, and other business leaders.
According to the Global CIO survey, CEOs and boards expect CIOs to drive digital transformation and revenue generation. A 2025 Forbes‑Intel survey also shows 64% report increased participation in revenue‑focused discussions at the board level.
However, the gap between expectations and reality is still significant. Many CIOs still spend most of their time on operational tasks and with strategic visibility comes a demand for new skills, and not all IT leaders feel prepared.
"The real challenge now isn't about technology. It's about people. Without communication, influence, and negotiation skills, CIOs won't be able to lead real change."
— Barb, Managing Director from Singapore
The shift from operational excellence to strategic alignment means CIOs must now:
- Understand business models and market positioning;
- Influence stakeholders across departments;
- Align digital initiatives with measurable ROI.
Global uncertainty and fast-moving innovation are also accelerating this evolution. Technologies like AI and IoT are evolving faster than governance structures, requiring CIOs to take the initiative in defining ethical frameworks, managing risk, and leading digital transformation with clarity.
"We need CIOs to speak the language of the business. Tech fluency is not enough anymore."
– another participant in the discussion emphasized.
Soft Skills: From Optional to Essential
Once considered a nice bonus, soft skills are now becoming core requirements for IT leaders. As businesses transform and digital initiatives touch every department, CIOs are being asked to lead not only systems but also people – and that means mastering communication, negotiation, and change leadership.
"Communication is everything," agreed one of the IT leaders. "If you don't do that right, you can't get anything else working."
Communication & Negotiation
The most successful CIOs today are "bilingual leaders" – able to speak both the technical and the business language fluently, translating IT strategy into business value and vice versa. They increasingly find themselves at the center of cross-functional discussions – negotiating priorities with C-level peers and communicating transformation roadmaps to non-technical stakeholders. Without strong communication, even the most advanced technical roadmap is at risk.
According to the Financial Times, only 38% of employees actively support organizational change, and the lack of clear communication is often to blame. Without strong communication, even the most advanced technical roadmap is at risk.
Presentation & Influence
Presentation is another emerging priority. CIOs need to distil complexity into clarity --- whether they're reporting to the board or pitching a transformation project to skeptical business units. This ability to influence without authority is key to navigating matrix organizations and securing buy-in.
As one of the digital transformation leaders noted, "It's not just about what technologies we use – it's how we explain them, how we prove their value to business leaders."
Change Management & Empathy
Digital transformation inevitably brings disruption. CIOs are now expected to lead not just systems upgrades, but also people through uncertainty.
A participant from the manufacturing industry emphasized: "Efficient change management helps ensure the right changes are managed well." Meanwhile, another participant highlighted the importance of building alignment: "I'm good at challenging the status quo – but you need a shared understanding of why we're changing and how we'll measure success."
Leadership & Team Development
Leadership is no longer about oversight – it's about empowerment. In high-pressure environments, the ability to build resilient, self-directed teams is a major asset.
As Mohammed, CIO, from textile industry, shared: "To build loyalty and retain talent, you must understand people's motivations --- and align their goals with the company's journey."
This is consistent with findings from Gartner, which predicts that by 2026, 70% of CIO success will depend on their ability to foster high-performing teams and lead with emotional intelligence, rather than technical authority alone.
How to Grow as a CIO Today
To succeed in 2025, IT leaders must cultivate not only technical expertise but also soft and strategic skills. During the networking session, participants shared practical approaches they use to strengthen these competencies and grow as leaders, even in the absence of formal training.
Learn From People, Not Just Books
Ekaterina from Bulgaria emphasized that leadership and communication are best developed not through traditional training, but through interaction:
"You can't learn soft skills alone. They emerge in context – in teams, in conflict, in change. You need to practice with people, not books."
This sentiment echoes global HR trends showing that peer-to-peer learning and mentorship are more effective than top-down corporate training programs, especially for leadership and communication skills.
Reverse Mentorship & Cross-Cultural Dialogue
Several session participants highlighted the value of reverse mentorship – engaging with younger or culturally different colleagues to understand new technologies and evolving workplace dynamics.
"When I mentor my team, I often end up learning more from them," shared a technology leader from the tourism industry. "It forces me to see things differently."
Structured cross-generational exchange improves agility, inclusivity, and digital thinking at the executive level.
Exposure to International Projects
Participants agreed that international exposure helps CIOs build both cultural sensitivity and strategic depth. Whether managing distributed teams or adapting strategies across regions, global experience forces leaders to operate with flexibility.
"Working across borders sharpens your instincts," noted a participant from Argentina. "You can't assume – you have to ask, listen, adapt."
Global CIOs also highlighted that modern leadership demands emotional agility: being calm in crisis, curious in uncertainty, and collaborative even when goals compete.
A Global Community for a Global Challenge
As the CIO role grows more complex, global collaboration is no longer optional – it's essential. The June 10 session made it clear: whether you're leading IT in São Paulo or Singapore, you're facing remarkably similar questions. How do we drive digital transformation without burning out our teams? How do we align with the business when the business keeps changing? How do we become not just technologists, but trusted partners?
For IT leaders in different countries and industries, the answers may vary, but the need for dialogue, support, and shared learning is universal.
"When we talk to each other, we realize we're not alone," shared one of the meeting participants. "We may be in different markets, but the leadership challenges – especially post-COVID – are the same."
That's exactly what the Global CIO community aims to provide: a space where CIOs can exchange ideas, learn from global peers, and co-create new practices in a world of constant change.
From networking sessions and expert panels to peer learning groups and research projects, the Global CIO platform helps IT leaders step outside local silos and engage with a broader, international network of peers who speak the same language – strategy, transformation, innovation.