“The real power of the CIO lies in driving disruptive growth, reimagining business models, forging transformative partnerships, and propelling the enterprise into uncharted territory.” In short, that is the story we now like to tell ourselves about the CIO: a step up from the outdated image of a service provider who only keeps the servers running. It is a welcome upgrade in terms of respect for the role. Yes, good. Bravo! But let’s not forget: a higher pedestal means higher pressure, too. That leaves us with two awkward questions: first, can the CIO truly shake off outdated expectations and tap into their full potential? And second, even if they can, are the lofty ambitions pinned on them actually realistic?

Part of the dilemma is that boards and fellow executives often still see the CIO in purely operational terms. This blind spot spawns half-baked demands, or worse, the idea that a CIO might not be needed at all. Yet the reality is that technology leadership is more critical than ever, provided it evolves beyond its legacy constraints. That evolution sits at the core of two upcoming CIONET events, each tackling a different but interlinked piece of the CIO journey.

At CIOFEST: “Charting Your CIO Career,” we will examine how seasoned technology leaders navigated their own paths. Through a live, interactive session, experienced CIOs will share candid stories of their professional ups and downs. What did they learn from early stumbles or poor leadership choices? Which pivotal moments completely altered their trajectory—and which opportunities did they wish they’d grabbed sooner? By uncovering the turning points and pitfalls that shaped them, we aim to help the next generation of CIOs craft more deliberate and fulfilling careers.

Meanwhile, Les Rencontres: “Hey, What Did You Expect?” focuses on another core challenge: the expectations of the other C-suite members. Despite all the talk of digital transformation, some executives still classify the CIO as a glorified IT manager rather than a business strategist. Left unchecked, this outdated stance smothers innovation and stalls progress. Les Rencontres aims to expose these misalignments and offer practical methods for forging a unified vision at the highest level of the organisation.

Ultimately, both events highlight the same truth: the CIO role is unfinished and perpetually morphing, shaped as much by personal ambition as by external pressures. By uniting the insights on career-building from CIOFEST with the expectation-management focus at Les Rencontres, we can usher in a new wave of technology leadership, one in which CIOs step beyond infrastructure guardianship and become true engines of strategic transformation.

If you’re ready to look beyond old assumptions and imagine a world where technology drives both purpose and profit, join us at CIOFEST on March 20 (English spoken) and Les Rencontres on April 1st (French spoken). Let’s rewrite the narrative - together - and find out what the “unfinished CIO” can become when given the support, autonomy, and mandate to shape the future.