Article at a glance:

What IT leaders do

• Companies can make smarter choices about IT when a member of the senior-management team defines technology's role within the company and manages IT in cooperation with business leaders.
• Too many companies rely on IT governance structures and processes to do the work that a single IT leader could do more effectively.
• Leadership trumps governance because leaders drive results, motivate and inspire employees, and keep organizations focused—something committees and policies are ill equipped to do on their own.
• Top IT leaders foster trust with business colleagues and know how to work with one another.