CIOs and CTOs need to be part of the executive management team in order to succeed.  They must:   

• CIOs and CTOs must be trusted contributor to executive thinking.
  CIOs and CTOs who perform well establish a strong connection with executive management and are key providers of insights to the executive team about new business opportunities, ways to speed up product introduction, or other potential technology-enabled business changes.
• CIOs

  and CTOs must propose new solutions to solve business problems.
  CIOs and CTOs that are in tune with business unit issues surface opportunities and direct their staff to solve business problems, like paper-intensive sales lead handling or cumbersome manufacturing processes.
• CIOs and CTOs must hire, retain, and develop a loyal staff.
  Some IT execs describe high job satisfaction and very low turnover in IT, even for highly marketable skills. Why? Because career and employee development is a priority of the CIO who makes the time for his or her team.
• CIOs and CTOs must take time to learn and test ideas.
  CIOs and CTOs are the thought leaders in their firms about the business uses of technology and the primary guide of IT strategic thinking. CIOs and CTOs who pause to learn from others and reflect will find that new ideas and a refreshed perspective keep the job fresh and their organizations energized.