IT Management Slideshow: Connecting in the C-Suite: 10 Tips for CIOs

Face-to-face collaboration

E-mail exchanges do not reveal a fellow leader's values, idiosyncrasies, upbringing.

Unified terms for success

Leadership teams can't pursue organizational success if they haven't agreed upon its definition.

Determine metrics for success

These can include:Increasing revenueExpanding market reachImproving customer loyaltyGaining a competitive edgeEnhancing value for products or services value Leveraging key differentiators

Talent harvesting

Work with leaders to personally execute a harvest-talent system. When talent nurturing isn't part of a middle managers' culture, they're unlikely to initiate the same for the rank-and-file.

Agility

Your leadership team must collaborate on agile management. When the "big bosses" are perceived as stale hindrances to innovation, lethargy creeps within entire organization.

Critical thinking

Don't let differences among leadership team to lead to clashes. Think of opposing viewpoints as an opportunity to exchange fresh perspectives, critical thinking.

Transparency

Make sure you represent your fellow leaders well. Understand their intentions and motivations and communicate these in a clear, positive manner to your teams.

Effective meetings

Use leadership meeting time effectively. Keep agendas focused. Determine actionable outcomes, with assigned roles to pursue them. (The estimated average cost of a meeting per leader is $350 per hour.)

Value time

Ensure that time spent on collaboration and brainstorming is valuable. Require pre-meeting research on actionable topics from all participants. Make sure assigned research topics don't overlap.

Open atmosphere

Invite mid-managers and employees to observe your leadership collaborations to establish a positive, working model company-wide.