Wolf in Cio's Clothing

Excellent book! I've already read it and purchased it as a gift for a new CIO.

This book is very useful to understand the hidden dynamics that we do not see in the office. It gives the reader a tool different from the traditional style of leadership we are used to; And provides strategies to face people and / or organizations with styles and values different from yours. For this he uses the figure of the wolf, understood as a man who knows how to protect his pack fiercely, but who in different conditions knows how to create alliances and relationships of trust with his peers.If you are a CIO or aspire to be a CIO, I recommend your reading, but not before warning you that your paradigms of leadership and conflict resolution could be strongly challenged. Without a doubt it is a book that comes to increase your arsenal as an executive.

What could be seen as kitschy or negative is actually an extremely useful tool to achieve deeper understanding of human behaviors. Take the test! Enjoy and learn.

So many leadership books only talk about the soft skills required to be successful. This one gives a more realistic perspective that includes tips on how to deal with negative forces in the work place and how to rein in silliness that results in poor IT decisions.

This book takes the political teachings of Machiavelli and gives lessons for today's CIO on how to survive and thrive. It paints a picture of three dichotomies that the CIO leader must navigate through and compares them to dark and light side animals that embody each concept. They include Power (lion vs lamb), Manipulation (snake vs dove), and warfare (shark vs dolphin). The dichotomies have a Myers Briggs type self evaluation to determine your natural bent on each. The book advocates a mixed situational approach that it calls a wolf tactic that uses a blended combination of all the dichotomies for optimal results. It then discusses building your power base by grooming a wolf pack of followers who can build the political influence. The book advocates a level of manipulation and non-transparency that will be uncomfortable for many. Definitely embraces the Machiavellian principles espoused by others such as in Robert Greene's "48 Laws of Power".

The book The Wolf in CIO’s Clothing by Tina Nunno depicts the leadership approach CIOs should employ in leading their organizations. Nunno (2015) describes how CIOs should utilize the traits of the wolf. She explains how intelligent the wolf is and how ruthless it can be when it is required. For many CIOs, their positions are often one of processing data rather than leading the organization. Thus, according to Nunno, they must attempt to embrace Machiavellian leadership techniques in order to effectively lead their organizations. However, one of the chief difficulties of leadership is adapting one’s style of leadership to the situation required. This can be a challenge for all leaders, not just CIOs. Nunno describes the various situations one may be exposed to as the light side versus the dark side. The light side may require a leader who is positive and encouraging. The light-side leader has certain animals, according to Nunno, that one would associate with them—the eagle, the dolphin, and the lamb. The dark-side leader, however, is one who is autocratic and willing to do what it takes to be successful. This leader is much more cut throat and has a different set of animals associated with it—the lion, the shark, and the snake. The key for CIOs to lead most effectively rests in their ability to utilize the approaches of these various animals when needed to; to act as a wolf would act. Thus, Nunno places the wolf at the center of these animals suggesting the wolf is exactly what is needed to effectively lead—the one who can employ what is needed when it is needed as Machiavelli long ago suggested. According to Nunno, the essence of effective leadership comes in how one employs the three Machiavellian disciplines of power, manipulation, and warfare. To better explain each of these disciplines, the author uses what she refers to as an Extreme Animal Ecosystem: Binary Power Animals. The first Machiavellian discipline to be discussed is power. This is represented on the dark side by a lion and on the light side by the lamb. When leading, should one express the power of a lamb or a lion? CIOs acting as lambs appreciate being liked and creating work environments where people get along and display positive attitudes towards one another. In organizations where light-side tactics are employed, the lamb approach to leading will likely prove most beneficial. However, the lion would be best in dark-side conditions where CIOs must be strong and demonstrate an ability to execute decisively without reluctance or doubt. There are organizations that may be tempted, according to Nunno, to exploit the weakness of a lamb. But, when the leadership of a lion is displayed, the coercive power of the lion might accomplish more than the passiveness of the lamb. As all leadership is a matter of influence, Machiavelli addressed influencing others through manipulation. Light-side manipulation is demonstrated by the dove; dark-side manipulation is executed by the snake. To borrow from Machiavelli, the author suggests manipulating others or risk being manipulated. Admittedly, she agrees that manipulation is derived from dark-side tactics whereas influence is a leader’s creative and skillful handling of others using light-side practices. The dove influences others through its use of a strong value system and beliefs. Dove leadership is often used to expel poor leadership that existed prior to the dove’s arrival. However, snake leadership employs dark-side tactics to strike its enemy at the right time to render them defenseless. For leaders hoping to be most effective, it is imperative to remember that there is a time to lead as a dove and a time to lead as a snake. Although, it is the wolf who can best determine which approach will be most effective and provide what is best for that situation. The last of the three Machiavellian disciplines is warfare. There are two animal types associated with warfare: the dolphin on the light side, and the shark on the dark side. Dolphins are highly social creatures who are intelligent and people enjoy being around them. There is no doubt that the dolphin has the best interest of others in mind. However, the shark is different. Sharks are quick to respond to a given situation and often take no prisoners. They are swift in their kills and can smell blood in the water from miles away. Anyone willing to challenge a shark, must also be willing to suffer because of the relentless nature of the shark. Again, it is that wolf-like ability to become what is needed that makes the CIO leader most effective. There are times where the ability to lead collaboratively like a dolphin is needed, and there are times where the cut-throat nature of the shark is most valuable. It is only when the wolf builds on the necessary traits of both when it becomes most effective. So how does A Wolf in CIOs Clothing suggest leaders lead today? How does this Machiavellian approach affect leaders and followers who wish to follow its advice? To answer these questions one must first understand the historical perspective that Nunno points out regarding the author of The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli. The author provides excerpts from three of Machiavelli’s writings—The Discourses, The Prince, and The Art of War. Each of these must be taken with an understanding as to why Machiavelli felt the way he did. Nunno (2015) writes, “Machiavelli was wrongly imprisoned by the duke he had faithfully served. He was tortured during his three-year imprisonment. This affected his view of the world” (p. 93). It is no wonder why Machiavelli had a bitter view of the world. Those that he trusted most let him down. He had also spent a major portion of his life engrossed in warfare and witnessed firsthand the destruction it caused. Thus, Nunno offers use a glimpse at why Machiavelli felt it best to be predator rather than prey. The question is, “Does leading as a CIO require such a war mentality?” What about those who today ascribe to servant leadership? For those who ascribe to servant leadership, the Machiavellian strategy is certainly not for you. Machiavelli views humility as a weakness, and it is that humility that allows the servant leader to put the welfare of others as more important than the self. Nunno echoes this by saying, “Humble CIOs often take little or no proactive action to ensure that the enterprise knows that they are making things happen. As such, their reputations are in the hands of others and essentially left to chance” (p. 58). It becomes obvious that Nunno fails to see how proactive servant leadership can be. The focus of servant leadership is in the building up of others—helping those the leader serves to become more successful. For that matter, that is the essence of effective leadership. However, when reading The Wolf in CIOs Clothing the reader witnesses several instances where Nunno endorses lying and defying the direct orders of superiors—all in the name of Machiavelli. She also supports approaching leadership as though it is wartime. However, as one who served in a leadership capacity in industry for a number of years also, this author never once truly felt his life threatened. Lastly, what about those who embrace Christian beliefs as guiding principles while leading? Certainly those who attempt to mirror the life of Christ in their daily interactions would not be served well applying Machiavellian strategies. They simply fly in the face of Christian beliefs. When discussing the importance of manipulating others for the greater good of the organization, Nunno reminds readers “Keep in mind that getting caught is not a signal to stop manipulating, but to practice more” (p. 142). Admittedly, conflict may require leaders to be clever in how they respond. But, as for this author, the dark side simply is not an option when leading.

I enjoyed the challenge this book made to stretch beyond my personal boundaries and test out some behaviours at workthe writing style is easy to follow and not too theoreticalits the kind of book you will want to read more than once

It is a good weekend read..contains lot of practical examples of how things happen..and it is not just for CIO..but for other senior managers and middle managers who interface with business and have to work with difficult people

I am not a CIO.... however, the information in this book could be used by many who work in other departments or even if you own your own business. The author of this book truly understands Machiavelli and presents his ideas in a very useful and beneficial way. I highly recommend this book, and if you find it interesting, you may also enjoy, Machiavelli's Secret, by Raymond Angelo Belliotti...

A must read if you work in IT as a manager and aspire to progress in your career to senior leadership.

very different a great book for all IT people

Un gran libro para gente que le pille de nuevas el "ambiente" directivo sobre todo si vienes de un ámbito puramente técnico.

Great delivery time and this a book that puts the ideas of Machivelli into context which was an unexpected (good) surprise.