Jean-Philippe Avelange, Chief Information Officer at Expereo, explains why the most successful companies will prioritise agility, collaborative expertise and an AI-first approach.
A leadership model for the future
The traditional corporate world has long been defined by clear-cut C-suite roles — the Chief Information Officer (CIO) leading IT, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) driving operations, the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) overseeing Digital Transformation, and so on. While these distinctions have served organisations well in the past, today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world calls for something more fluid, adaptive and collaborative.
Today, it’s important to recognise that the best ideas, the most effective strategies, and the strongest execution come not from rigid hierarchies but from a leadership team that collaborates seamlessly, thinks beyond silos and leverages collective intelligence.
The truth is, we are all technology leaders now. We are all digital. We are all customer-focused. We are all business. And that mindset shift is what sets apart organisations that thrive in disruption from those that struggle to keep up.
C-level roles are expanding — and that’s a good thing
The past decade has seen substantial change across the business landscape, some driven by AI innovation, and some driven by geopolitical and economic challenges. This transformation has reinforced an essential lesson: the best leaders are not defined by their titles but by their ability to adapt, collaborate and lead across disciplines.
For example, the CIO is no longer just about IT. They must think like a Chief Product Officer (CPO), ensuring that technology serves customer needs and drives business growth. The CDO is no longer just a change agent —they must think and operate like a Chief Customer Experience Officer (CCXO), ensuring every digital initiative is anchored in seamless user experiences. The CTO is no longer just an engineer’s role. They must think like a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), leveraging AI and automation to enable new business models and monetisation strategies.
By embracing a leadership model where expertise flows freely across roles, businesses can move faster, integrate acquisitions more effectively and position themselves as leaders in their industry.
Beyond silos: Leadership as a Collaborative Intelligence System
Many organisations struggle with Digital Transformation because they isolate responsibility — treating technology as an IT problem, customer experience as a marketing challenge, or AI as a niche project. For a Digital Transformation to be successful today, organisations must build a leadership culture where everyone is accountable for transformation. To do this, organisations should ensure that:
– Technology is embedded in every decision, not just IT. Whether in finance, operations, or sales, leaders must think like technologists and leverage data-driven decision-making.
– Customer obsession is everyone’s job, not just CX teams. Every function is aligned to enhance user-experience and create seamless interactions
– Data and AI literacy is a leadership-wide skill. In a world where AI is rapidly reshaping industries, we ensure that every executive understands its strategic implications and opportunities.
This shift away from traditional, siloed thinking will help organisations become more agile, more innovative, and more resilient in the face of industry disruption.
AI as an enabler, not a shortcut
One of the most exciting — and sometimes misunderstood — aspects of today’s Digital Transformation is the role of AI in reshaping industries. There is often an expectation that AI will serve as a quick fix, allowing companies to cut costs, automate decision-making and reduce complexity overnight.
However, today’s business world is forcing leaders to see AI differently, to view it as a force multiplier, not a replacement. For example:
– AI can enhance decision-making, but leadership judgment remains essential.
– AI augments human expertise, but the strategic direction and ethical considerations must remain at the forefront.
– AI automates repetitive tasks, but human creativity is what drives innovation.
– AI can be used to free up talent for high-value work, but not to eliminate critical expertise.
– AI can drive new business models, not just cost savings.
– AI can be leveraged to enhance customer experiences, optimise connectivity and enable new revenue streams.
By taking this measured, strategic approach to AI adoption, businesses can maximise potential while avoiding the pitfalls of over-reliance or misplaced expectations.
The future of leadership is adaptive, humble and collective
The most successful organisations of the future will not be the ones with the best CIO, the strongest CTO, or the most visionary CDO – they will be the ones where leadership functions as a cohesive, adaptive system. Leaders who embrace technology, regardless of their function, and teams that collaborate fluidly rather than protecting silos will be the ones driving real innovation. The organisations that foster an AI-enabled culture-one that empowers employees rather than replacing expertise — will be best positioned for long-term success.
But agility is not just about technology – it is about a shift in mindset. Businesses that rely on outdated, rigid structures will struggle to fully capitalise on AI-driven insights, cloud-based collaboration and decentralised decision-making. Instead, organisations must build flexible, scalable systems that empower leaders at every level to work efficiently, experiment with new approaches and respond to evolving market dynamics in real time.
