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From #6:
It???s possible for a department of tech pros to be managed by a person who isn't technically inclined. However, being technically savvy usually helps a CIO stand out as one of the greats


Particularly in smaller companies - where the CIO and CTO jobs are held by the same person - or even smaller ones where the IT Manager sits 1 level below the top - I don't think it's possible to NOT be tech savvy! In general, managers and executives need to understand the challenges/complexities that their subordinates face. Understanding doesn't require the detailed knowledge that the line people need to do their jobs, but the technically ignorant don't even have the background necessary for the understanding they do need to lead/manage well!

I addressed this in a blog post about 2 years ago:
http://new-business-paradigm.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-much-does-boss-need-to-know.html

I've posted this in the discussion of the original article as well