The 11 Secrets of Highly Influential IT Leaders

The critical path to accessing and succeeding in the executive suite
by Marc J. Schiller

In this groundbreaking book, Marc J. Schiller, takes on the conventional wisdom and the assumptions that underlie this prediction. In place of extinction, Schiller argues that the door to success is wide open for IT leaders who possess The Secrets.

The 11 Secrets of Highly Influential IT Leaders focuses attention on a very specific dimension of IT leadership: influence, and its unique application to IT leaders. Using The 11 Secrets as a road map, Schiller takes the reader on a fast-paced, first-person journey of influence development for 21st century IT leaders.

Employing real-live case histories and examples, the reader is treated to an insider's view of the specific strategies and tactics used by the world's most successful and influential IT leaders.

What's inside

The book begins by addressing several key questions:

• Why are so many IT leaders fighting to prove their value?
• Why do so many IT leaders feel like second-class citizens in their organizations?
• What can be done about it?

The key to understanding the problem and unlocking the solution lies in identifying the missing ingredient for so many IT leaders. That missing ingredient turns out to be influence. But not the garden variety of influence, it's a special kind of influence that is required by IT leaders. (You'll learn all about the unique nature of influence for IT leaders and the incredible benefits it can bring you on pages 7-13).

Your journey begins

With a fresh understanding of influence and how it uniquely applies to IT leaders, you will be taken on a three-part journey through the secrets. Each part of the journey comes with first-hand experiences and practical demonstrations of what it takes to acquire, build and maintain influence as an IT leader.

Part I, Influence Begins with Credibility teaches the key activities and behaviors needed to set in place a foundation of credibility - the basis for influence. Many devoted IT leaders work hard at delivering great systems yet still find themselves without real credibility and influence. That's because the path to credibility is often misunderstood by even the very best IT leaders. Part I explains the common misunderstandings regarding credibility building and why it is that the conventional approach to infrastructure management, operations and project delivery is actually hurting IT leaders credibility and influence. Then using the example of several leading CIOs the book points out exactly which techniques you should use to effectively build credibility-a few of which will likely surprise you. (For example: Learning about the power of "no" and how it can supercharge your influence.)

Part II, The Essentials of Influential Communications, shines a clarifying light on the area considered the greatest challenge for most IT leaders. Secret #4 not only alerts IT leaders to the communication traps into which they fall most often but also how to avoid them. Then, Secrets 5-7 lay out the most effective and proven communication techniques for IT leaders to use to improve their standing and influence. (If you haven't yet heard of ne-ma-wa-shi, Secret #8, you're in for a treat.)

Part III, Game Time, focuses on the critical situations where IT leaders have the opportunity to shine and teaches the specific tactics required to be successful in these make-or-break situations. Readers will especially be interested in the climax of the book, Secret #9 - Your Three Signature Plays, where you will learn exactly how to get invited to the senior decision-making forums of your organization.

Created from over 20 years of first-hand industry experience and supplemented by an intensive 24-month research and peer review process, The 11 Secrets are your keys to:

• Securing the budgets you need to "do things right"
• Achieving the professional success and recognition you want and deserve
• Gaining the respect both inside and outside of your company
• Growing your team and infusing them with a sense of pride in their work
• Advancing your career as an IT leader
• Securing a seat at the executive table

More than just a book

When you order The 11 Secrets you get more than just the book. To help get you started on your journey to greater influence and success your purchase includes an assessment of your current influence using a specially developed model based on the principles and research underlying The 11 Secrets. The assessment includes a personalized score and qualitative analysis with pointers to specific areas of The 11 Secrets that are likely to be of most value to you. Details on how to activate and use the voucher are provided with your order confirmation.

In addition to your custom influence score and analysis, you will also receive a copy of
The 11 Secrets influence-building road map. The road map will be a helpful reminder and reference for your journey. The road map contains a number of hints and subtleties about the secrets. As you become familiar with the each of the secrets, you will find the road map a more informative and useful reference tool.

Order your 11 Secrets basic package risk free now