Every CIO (& CTO, CDataO and CDigitalO) needs a Critical and Supportive Friend

The role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has never been more challenging. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, CIOs must balance innovation, security, and operational efficiency while navigating executive expectations and boardroom politics. They are often seen as a blocker and nay sayer, stopping their colleagues capitalising on business opportunity. But if there is a security incident or software costs are running out of control, they are in the firing line.

Because of this, many CIOs find themselves isolated whilst expected to deliver groundbreaking change but often lacking a trusted advisor who truly understands their predicament.

Large consultancies can seem like the easy answer. Their partners will happily spend (Billable) time helping the CIO formulate strategies, but in reality, they are acting as a sales channel, looking to land and expand more capability. And if the CIO runs into trouble, they will move their allegiances to wherever they feel helps them most.

They will ask searching questions about style, influence and relationships, assisting in navigating these whilst selling their ideas. However, Exec coaches often lack the industry and technical know-how a CIO needs.

The answer can come in the shape of a smaller challenger consultancy. The pace of technological change means decisions carry weighty consequences. AI, cybersecurity, cloud migration, and digital resilience are all high-stakes topics that require bold yet calculated moves. This is where a challenger consultancy can bridge the gap, not as a faceless vendor but as a trusted ally offering and empathetic approach and pragmatic solutions.

They need a confidant who can help navigate boardroom dynamics, communicate effectively with other C-suite executives, and craft strategies that deliver measurable business value. Many leaders in challenger consultancies   are ex CIOs – they bring empathy and understanding from having sat in that chair.

Challenger consultancies embed themselves within organisations, working closely with CIOs to uncover pain points and develop bespoke solutions. Their approach is not about pushing pre-packaged frameworks but rather about listening, adapting, and co-creating strategies that align with a company’s unique challenges.

It’s about having a trusted advisor who understands the complexities of their role and is willing to stand alongside them, not just during strategy discussions, but when difficult decisions need to be made.

If you’re a CIO feeling the weight of transformation alone, it’s time to rethink who’s in your corner. The right consultancy won’t just advise you it will stand by you, challenge the status quo, and help you turn vision into reality.

The era of lonely CIOs should be over. It’s time to find the right friend.