--- title: Five Key Characteristics of Highly Successful IT Leaders description: Highly successful IT leaders possess important characteristics which separate them from their peers and enable them to be the best at what they do. In this article we discuss 5 of those key characteristics which the best IT leaders have in common, and recommendations for adopting them. --- [Skip to content](https://blog.oitc.ca/blog/five-key-characteristics-of-highly-successful-it-leaders#main-content) ![Outsource IT Computing](https://blog.oitc.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/OITC%20Logo-1.png?width=1408&height=302&name=OITC%20Logo-1.png)Homepage - [Services](https://oitc.ca/services) - [Industries](https://oitc.ca/industries) - Company - [Careers](https://oitc.ca/careers) - [About Us](https://oitc.ca/about) - [Solution Partners](https://oitc.ca/solution-partners) - [Community Support](https://oitc.ca/community-support) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.oitc.ca) - [Bill Payments](https://pay.oitc.ca/) - [VoIP 911](https://oitc.ca/v911/) - [Client Portal](https://portal.oitc.ca/) [Get started](https://oitc.ca/contact/) - [Services](https://oitc.ca/services) - [Industries](https://oitc.ca/industries) - Company - [Careers](https://oitc.ca/careers) - [About Us](https://oitc.ca/about) - [Solution Partners](https://oitc.ca/solution-partners) - [Community Support](https://oitc.ca/community-support) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.oitc.ca) - [Bill Payments](https://pay.oitc.ca/) - [VoIP 911](https://oitc.ca/v911/) - [Client Portal](https://portal.oitc.ca/) [Get started](https://oitc.ca/contact/) Blog # Five Key Characteristics of Highly Successful IT Leaders ![Nathan Zych](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Nathan Zych April 11, 2019 ## **Five Key Characteristics of Highly Successful IT Leaders** The right leadership can make or break any business. In the information technology space, leadership can be even more challenging. Safeguarding sensitive data, instilling the right atmosphere for innovation and adapting to changes in the marketplace, are all part of the IT leadership equation. Highly successful IT leaders possess important characteristics which separate them from their peers and enable them to be the best at what they do. Here are 5 of those key characteristics which the best IT leaders have in common, and recommendations for adopting them. ### **1. Excellent Strategic Planning** Great IT leaders excel at strategic planning. Establishing a good strategic plan for activities and assets is a necessary first step toward good leadership. As a result, Strategic Planning for Information Technology has quickly become a required [course of study for future IT Leaders](http://careerframework.ubc.ca/competencies/competency-development-guide/strategic-technology-planning/) in universities across Canada. While across the border, strategic planning tops the [U.S. Government Accountability Office](https://www.gao.gov/key_issues/leading_practices_information_technology_management/issue_summary#t=0) (GAO) list of suggested best practices in information technology. Here several recommendations for implementing successful plans in the organizational setting: - **Maintain Accountability** Assigning and tracking responsibility for the IT resources of the organization is an important first step in the strategic planning process.   - **Think Big** The GAO recommends preparing an enterprise-level plan for the use of IT resources and the acquisition of new programs and software assets that covers the activities of the entire organization. This can provide a valuable framework on which to build future success.   - **Incorporate the Mission** Integrating organizational missions and goals into the plan will ensure that it offers the right support for other activities throughout the business.   - **Create Annual Reports on Progress** Documenting all aspects of the organizational strategic IT plan is highly recommended by the GAO. This will allow businesses to record progress toward company goals and objectives. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.oitc.ca%2Fblog%2Ffive-key-characteristics-of-highly-successful-it-leaders](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.oitc.ca%2Fblog%2Ffive-key-characteristics-of-highly-successful-it-leaders) ## Keep reading ### [Managed IT vs In-House IT: Why It’s Not Always an Either-Or Decision](https://blog.oitc.ca/managed-it-vs-in-house-it-why-its-not-always-an-either-or-decision) ### [Blog 10 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current IT Provider](https://blog.oitc.ca/10-signs-youve-outgrown-your-current-it-provider) [![OITC Logo-1](https://blog.oitc.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/OITC%20Logo-1.png?width=300&height=64&name=OITC%20Logo-1.png "OITC Logo-1")](https://oitc.ca) --- [Privacy Policy](https://oitc.ca/privacy-policy/) · © 2025. 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