Chris Pope of Air New Zealand: Church organiser to ICT leader

“You need to know how to lead people and communicate effectively…technical skills will only get you so far,” says Chris Pope, PMO manager at Air New Zealand.

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But for all his IT leadership roles, Pope does not describe himself as a technical person but one “who is able to grasp technical concepts, lead technical people and keep a focus on business outcomes”.

So what pointers can he give to ICT professionals?

“Evolve or die” was the motto of the ISP he worked for in the 1990s. It still rings true today as technology, business trends and customer preferences are ever changing, says Pope. “If you are slow to adapt, you will be left behind and eventually slide into irrelevance… Has anyone seen my Palm Pilot?”

He recommends developing leadership and communication skills. “Theory may be taught in classes and books, but if you want to progress your career you need to know how to lead people and communicate effectively… technical skills will only get you so far.”

And lastly, share your knowledge and experience. “Research shows that successful leaders help others be successful,” says Pope. “You reap what you sow.”

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