In a few hours, I’ll be leaving for Australia.

I’m headed there to deliver the opening keynote at the LEADit 2013 Conference in Canberra next week. And I’m excited.

The title of my keynote is “The Four Indispensable Roles of the New IT Leader” and, as you might imagine, as I’ve been preparing I have spent a lot of time contemplating what it means to be an IT leader.

(Programming note: If you are anywhere near the Canberra area, please plan on joining me at the conference. If you can’t make it, you can register for the live simulcast of my keynote here: http://www.vision6.com.au/ch/15112/2dvy3vk/1970185/9f9cbpmvs.html.)

The idea of leadership has become particularly pertinent in IT circles lately. Mostly because it is the thing that is apparently most lacking. It seems that we are all looking for answers, for direction and for someone to tell us which way to go. But I think that the real answer is both easier and harder. That’s because what we are all looking for lies within each of us. I don’t want to give too much away (after all, I want you to show up or tune in!), but let’s just say that I believe that each and every one of us must see ourselves as an IT leader as we enter this new era.

The question is, what does that mean and how does it change things for each of us as IT professionals?

Like one of those late night infomercials, I have more to offer you. (But wait, there’s more!) In my keynote, I’m also going to talk about the “Four New Rules of the New Era” and the “Four Building Blocks of IT Leadership.” The combination of these three things – four new rules, four building blocks and four roles will define us as professionals going forward.

But this much is clear:

  • We are now living in a new world and the old rules just don’t apply
  • We need to approach what we do and why we do it differently to remain relevant
  • We need a new identity to understand our new role(s)
  • Survival is optional – it’s up to each of us to plot our own course

And I think that this boils down into the essence of what I mean when I say that each of us needs to see ourselves as IT leaders. We need to take control of our own destiny. We need to believe in the value that we bring to the organization. We need to understand how that value is created. And we need to put ourselves on a journey to continue developing those skills and competencies that will allow us to contribute exponentially to everyone and everything around us.

I believe that’s the future. I believe that’s my future. I believe it’s your future. So, are you an IT leader? I hope so. We’re all counting on you.

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