At Investigo, we work closely with CIOs, CTOs and senior technology leaders across the UK to help them navigate transformation, leadership and growth. As part of that commitment, we are delighted to be partnering with Paul Coby on the launch of his new book, The Digital Leader’s Playbook.
This blog, written by Investigo Managing Director Matt Smith, shares why the book strongly resonates with the leadership conversations we have every day across our technology network.
At Investigo, we are always looking to bring meaningful insight to the CIO and technology leadership community, and The Digital Leader’s Playbook by Paul Coby is one of the most relevant and practical resources we have come across.
Paul, a long-standing FTSE 100 CIO with more than 25 years’ experience leading digital and technology functions at organisations including British Airways, John Lewis Partnership, Johnson Matthey and Persimmon Homes, distils his experience into over 60 maxims for effective technology leadership. The book is concise, grounded in real-world experience, and focused on the day-to-day realities faced by modern CIOs.
Investigo is delighted to partner with this book because its themes closely reflect what we hear in our conversations with technology leaders across our network. These include the common challenges leaders face, the behaviours that genuinely make a difference, and the areas where organisations often struggle during digital and technology transformation.
Some of the insights that particularly resonate with the leaders we support include:
Human-centred leadership - Paul’s reminder to “try to be human” reflects a growing shift in technology leadership. Building trust, transparency and strong cultural connection is essential for teams operating in an environment of constant change.
Alignment with the business - The principle that “there are no IT projects, only business projects” captures a reality we see daily. Transformation succeeds when technology and the business move together, and fails when they do not speak the same language.
Clarity in digital ambition - Many organisations continue to face challenges caused by unclear objectives, misaligned leadership and misplaced technology investment. The book’s guidance aligns closely with wider research on avoiding the most common digital transformation pitfalls.
Practical execution, not theory - From supplier management to disciplined innovation and value-driven delivery, the book offers practical advice that mirrors the real-world challenges CIOs and CTOs consistently share with us.
As the role of technology continues to expand, influencing culture, strategy, customer experience and commercial performance, the need for confident, business-aligned and human-centred leadership has never been greater.
For CIOs, CTOs, engineering leaders and senior leaders across all disciplines, The Digital Leader’s Playbook is a concise and actionable guide. It complements many of the leadership conversations we facilitate across the Investigo community.
The Digital Leader’s Playbook: 60 Fundamental Maxims for Success for Today’s IT Executive is available now - make sure you get your copy.
