I read the book "Adventures of an IT Leader," by Robert Austin, Richard Nolan, and Shannon O'Donnell � not by choice necessarily, but because it was aI read the book "Adventures of an IT Leader," by Robert Austin, Richard Nolan, and Shannon O'Donnell � not by choice necessarily, but because it was assigned reading for one of my graduate courses. It is a very novel educational tool in that it is both a “textbook� complete with end of chapter work and reflection exercises, but it is written as a fictional novel � meant to be entertaining as well as educational. It succeeds. It is a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities and challenges faced by IT leaders in modern organizations. The book presents a fictional yet realistic portrayal of the life of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) through the character of Jim Barton. Because the book is structured as a novel, it’s an engaging read while providing valuable insights into IT management and leadership. So engaging in that, I would read ahead a few chapters, and I finished it early. I can honestly say that is rare for a college “textbook.� The story begins with Jim Barton, the head of Loan Operations at IVK Corporation, being unexpectedly appointed as the CIO by the new CEO, Carl Williams. Barton, who has no prior experience in IT, is chosen for his critical perspective on the IT department. The company is struggling with slowing growth and falling stock prices, and Williams believes that Barton can bring a fresh approach to the IT organization. As Barton steps into his new role, he faces numerous challenges, including gaining the trust of his team, understanding the technical aspects of IT, and aligning IT strategy with business goals. Throughout the book, readers follow Barton's journey as he navigates through crises, makes critical decisions, and learns the intricacies of IT management. The book emphasizes the importance of effective leadership in IT. Barton learns that being a successful CIO requires not only technical knowledge but also strong leadership skills, the ability to communicate effectively, and the capacity to inspire and motivate the team. One of the central themes is the alignment of IT with business objectives. Barton realizes that IT should not operate in isolation but must be integrated with the overall business strategy to drive growth and innovation. The book highlights the unpredictable nature of IT and the need for CIOs to be prepared for crises. Barton faces several critical situations, such as security breaches and system failures, and learns the importance of quick decision-making and problem-solving. I do wish they would update the book for 2025 to include recent technological innovations such as the ubiquity of IoT, SaaS and cloud services, as well as the emerging AI technologies. At the time of publication, BYOD was the emerging technology. Perhaps a sequel? It did end on a cliffhanger, but I will not spoil it. The book “The Adventures of an IT Leader� is both a fictional tale that also serves as a “textbook via storytelling� designed for anyone who aspires to have a career in IT leadership. The book’s blend of narrative and practical advice makes it an essential read for current and aspiring IT leaders. There’s a good reason it is still used in many professional business degrees programs.
I have two confessions to make. First, this was actually an assigned textbook for a negotiations class I just completed in my graduate study. Second, I have two confessions to make. First, this was actually an assigned textbook for a negotiations class I just completed in my graduate study. Second, this was the first textbook I have ever been assigned to where I went back *after* the course was over and finished the two assigned chapters I had missed and actually read the rest of the book.
I thought it would read a little less academic as the cover did not look like a traditional textbook, but it does get a little bit deep in the subject � which is great as it does not have that typical “biz language� and “pop psychology style� you read in business-related books you buy at an airport Hudson News or what they sell at the FedEx Office Center store.
One thing that worries me in general about going deep into the inner workings of negotiation is that there are both interrelated and conflicting factors which can affect negotiations, many of which are purely psychological, so I’m a bit dubious of the research studies� ability to effectively control for all of them and parse out true effect (let alone effect size). However, I have found the book so far to be great at mapping out a structured approach for negotiation preparation.
I like the emphasis on negotiation not just about reaching an agreement but about the dual aspects of negotiation: creating value (“making the pie higher� � see who gets that joke/reference) and claiming value (getting your fair share). I agree that many people, including myself in the past, have missed opportunities to negotiate due to fear, lack of confidence, or simply not recognizing situations as negotiable.
I agree that research and preparation is good. I personally have not really paid much attention to anticipating or understanding the goals of the other party in the past because I worried it took focus off what my goals were.
I agreed with the author’s notions that cognitive biases and emotions can influence decision-making. I think it is really hard to dive really deep into dealing with and mitigating deep-seeded biases in a few pages though. If you find yourself struggling with those biases you may need more help than what could be discussed in this book.
Ultimately, the powers I gained from this book (and most readers will) are:
� The power of alternatives and BATNAs (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) � The power of value creation. � The power of body language.
Originally published at: Other’s mileage may vary.
The last chapter on auctions was a great bonus read and a bit dangerous for me. The authors discuss the dynamics and strategies involved in auction settings, emphasizing how auctions differ from traditional negotiations including types of auctions, bidding strategies, psychological factors, and practical applications. To be honest, I may be leveraging this chapter the most due to my various collectible pastimes.
Finally, the learning matrices were very helpful tools to keep hold of for future use and guidance. I will definitely be keeping this book handy and referring to it as needed.
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