Leader transition: Beyond the three envelopes
Conclusion: The apocryphal ‘three envelopes’ story about the executive starting a new role is a cynical view of leadership transition. However, at its core, there are some uncomfortable truths about how people respond to crises early in their leadership. Digging deeper, there are lessons to be learned from these scenarios, suggesting more productive ways to deal with these issues as they arise.
It is critical for transitioning digital leaders to understand that people, culture and politics are the most powerful forces in an organisation. An ability to manage change and form collaborative relationships is a much stronger predictor of success in a digital transformation role than any digital or technical experience.
About The Advisor
Ewan Perrin
Ewan Perrin was an IBRS advisor from January 2019 - September 2019 who focused on strategy, business alignment, leadership and culture, and risk management. As a CIO and senior IT executive in the Australian government he delivered transformational change, including the Federal government’s first offshore hosted Cloud solution. He chaired the Australian Government CIO Forum, bringing over 50 CIOs together to collaborate on cross-agency and broader industry issues and initiatives. He has established an award-winning program management office, achieving international recognition by the Project Management Institute as an ‘Outstanding PM Organisation’. Prior to joining IBRS, he was an Executive Partner with Gartner based in Singapore, providing mentoring, coaching and strategic advice to CIOs and other IT leaders across Southeast Asia. He has worked extensively with Board and CEOs across many industries on delivery of strategic IT programs, both as an advisor and as a consultant. Ewan is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a company director in the human services sector.