Episode #6 - Letting Go, Lifting Others: How Great CIOs Evolve with the Role with Adam Carthew

In this episode of The Mindful CIO Podcast, Nathalie Heynderickx connects with Adam Carthew, Chief Information Officer at Service Victoria and one of Australia’s Top 50 CIOs (2021 to 2023). With a career spanning executive roles at ANZ, Coles Financial Services, and Target Australia, Adam brings a rich perspective on the human side of tech leadership, especially within the shifting dynamics of government and the digital age.

Adam shares his compelling transformation from being “the smartest person in the room” as a solution architect to becoming an empowering, people focused leader. He reflects on a pivotal moment when coaching helped him shift his leadership centre of gravity from self-validation to team outcomes, sparking a lasting change in how he develops others.

Drawing on personal stories, Adam explores how diversity of thought, managing up as well as down, and responding humbly to feedback are essential traits for today’s CIOs. He unpacks his leadership philosophy using a unique metaphor: the Maremma dog versus the Border Collie, illustrating the difference between trust led leadership and fear-based management.

From transitioning between the private and public sectors to navigating AI adoption in government, Adam shares insights on sustainable digital delivery, responsible innovation, and building high performance cultures. He opens up about the pressure of big transformations, leading through crisis, and his belief that “leadership is about behaviour, not title.”

This episode is rich with practical advice for aspiring and seasoned CIOs alike on aligning teams to purpose, leading with humility, and creating cultures where discretionary effort thrives.

Quote of the episode:"Leadership is about who you are. Management is about what you do." – Adam Carthew

🎬 IN OUR EPISODE:

00:00 – Introduction to the Mindful CIOPodcast
02:50 – Meet Adam Carthew: CIO at Service Victoria
03:09 – A Surprising Start: Missionary Work and Early Leadership Lessons
04:13 – Reflections on The Mindful CIO Manifesto
05:46 – The Power of Diversity and Challenging Your Thinking
07:11 – From Architect to People Leader: A Career-Defining Shift
11:09 – Coaching, Humility and the Journey from “Smartest” to “Most Effective”
11:43 – Managing Up, Building Influence and Navigating Perception
12:21 – Staying Grounded: Golf, Family and What Really Matters
16:45 – Private vs Public Sector: Leadership Lessons from Both Worlds
20:59 – Leading Through Crisis: Building a New Team at Target
26:58 – Influence Without Authority: The ANZ Asia-Pacific Story
30:23 – Responsible AI in Government and the Role of Policy
35:57 – The Maremma Metaphor: Leadership by Trust, Not Fear
41:09 – Final Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Tech Leaders

 

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