Why Don't More CIOs Become CEO?

jcatcw writes "Thornton May is mystified by the very small number of Fortune 500 companies that led by former CIOs. "Knowing what we know about CIOs — that is, that most are smart, hardworking, supremely aware of how the business works and increasingly savvy regarding the workings of external customers' minds — the failure of more CIOs to become CEO has to be one of the biggest mysteries of our age.""

Comments

The reason

[Archangel Michael]

"most are smart, hardworking, supremely aware of how the business works and increasingly savvy regarding the workings of external customers' minds"

Which is exactly opposite of what is required by CEOs, who almost by definition should be stupid, lazy, unaware of anything let alone the business they are in, and have complete disregard for customers.

There is a reason we call them .... PHB.

Re:I'm amazed he's amazed

[DerekLyons]

It is very rare for an engineering officer to make Admiral, even rarer for a supply officer or personnel officer, or, for that matter, a medical officer or JAG.

In fact - there are Flag positions for each and every one of the specialty branches. (Supply, Personell, Medical and JAG.) In submarines *every* Admiral has been an engineer - since you have to have been an engineer to become a CO.
 
 

These are all support roles, and if you've done your homework, you KNOW THAT IN ADVANCE. Admirals come from the surface warfare officer community or, in the case of carriers, through the aviation route.

That would explain why Submarine Squadrons are commanded by Admirals - as are Groups, and both COMSUBPAC and COMSUBLANT. Every one of them submarine officers - not SWO's.
 
Or, in short - you haven't a clue how the USN works.