Information technology, as an industry, a career, and a set of specific skills, has always been shaped by innovation and continuous change. The pace of this change is accelerating and numerous challenges lie in store for those working in this field.

For IT managers, the demands will be further exacerbated by substantive changes in our workforce:

• The baby boom generation is retiring and taking with it many skilled technical workers;
  

• The workforce is becoming more diverse;
  

• Global competition is creating greater demands on American companies to demonstrate an innovative value proposition that cannot be replicated at lower-cost off-shore locations. 

What can IT managers do to address these challenges — especially those who have moved up the career ladder due to technical success but without having received any training in management and leadership? It is increasingly clear that these challenges require IT managers to develop a leadership skill set to complement their technical skill set, as strong business intelligence is required to meet these challenges.

The AIM Institute's IT Leadership Academy has been carefully designed to help IT managers acquire the leadership skills required to manage an increasingly young and diverse workforce in a global economy. The curriculum includes discussion surrounding Authentic Leadership, Global Mindset, Strategic Planning, Creativity/Innovation, Talent Development and Retention, Communication Skills, and Self Management.