Today’s IT Executive

By the time a programmer grows through the ranks and becomes a CTO he is no longer able to write good code, discuss detailed technical issues with developers and architects and determine whether his developers are bull…ing him regarding the estimated effort to complete projects.

Why do most CFOs know everything there is to know about financials of the company and can communicate well with accounts payable or receivable clerks? Why do most Advertising Executives know everything there is is to know about advertising? One can’t become a CFO after being a technologist for 20 years. On the other hand, I’ve seen accountants and other business people become IT Executives. I sometimes wonder what would happen to the Romans or Vikings if their leaders were not some of the best warriors. Those leaders would quickly loose respect from their troops (that is if anyone survives after losing the battle).

The point I am trying to make is that in order to be a good IT Executive one must always keep himself in “techie” shape by not just reading about latest IT trends, but also participating in architecture and design discussions, looking at the code (or even better writing some code), trying to fix a network problem, download and install desktop and mobile software themselves instead of asking their SA.

I am being asked sometimes why after almost 20 years in IT I still like to roll my sleeves and write some good code. Well, I have 3 reasons:

• I can deliver better solutions by knowing everything there is to know about technologies my teams are working with.

• I feel comfortable discussing and using technologies at any level, whether it is as programmer or enterprise architect and I can’t be fooled with regarding project estimates or things that can or cannot be done.

• I feel secure about my professional life because I always stay sharp and able to jump into battles.