Q: What concerns might you have based on the profile of this IT leader?
According to authors Richard T. Houston and Douglas Houston, this profile, comparing this IT leader's individual scores to the IT benchmark and a larger benchmark established from hundreds of leaders across various functions show scores above the norms for IT managers and general leadership in each of the areas assessed. This could be cause for concern if the profiled group IT leader makes snap decisions without undue reflection or analysis. The authors assert, "To the extent that his judgment is seasoned and tested, this can be an effective style. He also tends to operate with a strong degree of independence. He is not likely to require constant oversight, but he may also pass on opportunities to consult with colleagues. Finally, he's a risk taker. The individual in question could be a valuable member of the leadership team who can make things happen, or he could be a loose cannon. Research into his history of decision making would help reveal which portrait is true and inform his boss about how to manage him."
* Excerpted from "Leadership Development: Intuition, Science, or Luck?" (
), Cutter IT Journal, Vol. 25, No. 3.