CIO

New research shows that many CFOs are making a power play to take more control of IT. That's not good news for CIOs, but you can fight the trend.

Chuck Sperazza, CIO and senior vice president of Herbalife, a nutrition and weight-management company based in Los Angeles, is serious about fitness. A triathlete, Sperazza won his age group in the 2002 Ironman competition in Hawaii, and is now trying to qualify for the 2009 event. Of course, your own exercise regime doesn't need to mean training to be an Ironman. Even CIOs who haven't exercised for years can reduce their stress by following these simple tips.

CIOs are leaders of change, and change is something most people resist. Therefore, the ability to influence stakeholders--including those over whom CIOs have no direct authority--is an essential but difficult skill to master.

The mounting responsibilities and demands from C-level execs can be both personally distracting and professionally discouraging for some IT leaders. Yet now, more than ever, "focus is the name of the game," says Susan Cramm, founder and president of Valuedance, an executive coaching firm specializing in IT leadership.

Nine IT leaders reflect on their high school selves and how their younger personas affected the adults they've become and the careers they've forged. Their insights are surprising, funny, tender and wise.

Have you seen the money these cats make? Top information technology executives earn millions of dollars. And it's not just the cash CIOs pocket, it's the perks they get, too. Home security system to protect all their loot? Check. Personal use of the corporate jet? Check. Financial planner to funnel all that dough into off-shore, tax-free accounts? Check.