No, I am not going to sing and complete the highly popular 1980’s song by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.But, as I pen my thoughts for this issue, I cannot think of a more fitting headline to my editorial. It captures the essence of our somewhat daring cover story on the ‘young and the restless’– who are so ready to take on the world!

In our editorial meetings to plan this issue, we spent time wondering how we would define the limits of this story – what about the young and bright minds we would leave out? Also, how do we simultaneously acknowledge our trend-setting, young-at-heart CIOs who have mentored and shaped these young leaders? And then we decided that we had to begin somewhere...

The trend is obvious and the story compelling. It is well-known that leaders are becoming younger and the old order is making way for the new. But who are these individuals? How do they view their own roles? Where are they in their organisational hierarchies? What are they challenged by? What makes them tick? And what do they believe makes them winners? Do they have mentors and role-models? And what next...

The opportunity to participate vicariously in their journeys has been fascinating. More so, since each one of the innovative and disruptive minds I wrote to – responded with candour and passion to our never-ending questions. Here are some top-of-the-mind findings:

Our ‘young and restless’ brigade is spread across organisations – medium-sized, MNC and large conglomerates

Many don’t report directly to the CEO – but are clearly identified as ‘leaders’ and therefore participate as members of the senior management team . They see themselves as ‘change agents’ . They all respond ‘beyond the call of duty’. And each one has mastered the ‘Art of the Possible’.

Last but not the least, the language of business is second nature to this new breed of technology leaders. They almost live The CTO Forum tagline – ‘technology for growth and governance’ i.e a very holistic view of how to leverage technology for maximum impact in their corporations. They display several other favourable traits for moving to the ‘CXO suite’ – they are collaborative with peers and line of business executives, they build formal and informal networks, they balance change with consolidation, and embrace innovation. Inspiring, at the very least...

Beyond the cover story, in our effort to bring you more and better, we have established alliances with highly- reputed international organisations. I look forward to your feedback on their contributions in this issue.

Please write in with your comments  -  that’s what keeps us going...!

rahul.mani@9dot9.in