The Transformational CIO: Leadership and Innovation Strategies for IT Executives in a Rapidly Changing World

Let Everyone Know That You're Organized

Mike Pellegrino is the CIO at Frontier Communications Corporation. Frontier's corporate headquarters are in Stamford, Connecticut, but the company serves customers in 27 states and is the largest provider of communications services to rural America.

Mike arrived at the company during a period of transition, which is not in itself surprising—it's fairly common practice for companies to hire new CIOs at the beginning of transitional periods. Hiring a new CIO is one way for senior management to send a clear message to everyone that change is in the air.

What is uncommon, however, is the degree to which Mike was ready for his new role. If it seemed to the folks at Frontier that Mike hit the ground running, it was because he began preparing long before he even got the job. Here's a summary of Mike's process, in his own words:

When you're interviewing, you have to assume that you're going to get the job. During the interview process, which typically goes four or five rounds, you're going to meet with lots of people. So you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the business. They think they're interviewing you, but the truth is that you're interviewing them. Use what you learn during the interviews to set your agenda. My 30/60/90-day plan was written before I was offered the job.

Even before he officially stepped into his new role, Mike shared the plan with his new boss, who helped him fill in the blanks and schedule meetings with ...