2024 UNC CAUSE

In today’s higher education landscape, the CIO/CTO plays a pivotal role as a navigator rather than a mere supervisor. EDUCAUSE identified this shift in 2020, emphasizing the responsibility for leading digital transformation within organizations. The trajectory of IT value has evolved from infrastructure maintenance to innovation management, making IT the primary driver of change. Organizational and technological shifts occur rapidly, and IT often spearheads these changes. However, IT faces challenges in developing critical skills and adopting essential roles for successful change. The 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer highlighted a crisis of trust in U.S. leadership. Trust is crucial for fostering openness to change and successful implementation. Yet, the business side of organizations often lacks understanding of IT, leading to fear, resentment, and/or dismissal. As a master’s student in Digital Communication, I explored the correlations between leadership, communication, and organizational change management in IT. I conducted a survey that revealed resource deficiencies and skill gaps. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are essential elements and actions we can take to enhance leadership at all levels. During this session, I’ll share survey findings and propose strategies for trust-building, adaptive leadership, and effective communication. We’ll also brainstorm together how we can develop better training to prepare our teams for organizational change management.