A strong Information Systems Manager—often called an IT Manager—can be one of the most valuable assets in an organization. With nearly 30 years in the software industry, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful this role can be. At their best, IS Managers drive innovation, streamline operations, and enable growth. However, when they resist change or cling to outdated approaches, they can also become one of the biggest barriers to modernization and progress.
Information Systems Managers Qualities
They Are Smart
I’ve never met an IS Manager with a simple job. They’re responsible for managing, designing, supporting, explaining, troubleshooting, securing, and monitoring their organization’s information systems—and in smaller companies, their role often extends even further. It’s not unusual to see them overseeing not just computer networks, but also phone systems, building security, and other critical infrastructure.
Throughout my experience, I’ve worked with some incredibly intelligent people in IT. What sets them apart is their ability to adapt in a field that’s constantly evolving. While a formal education provides a strong foundation, the most successful IT professionals are naturally curious and technically inclined—they’re the ones who quickly grasp new technologies and concepts.
You can usually spot them early on. They’re the kids who took things apart just to see how they worked—and then put them back together again. That kind of curiosity and problem-solving mindset is often what drives long-term success in IT.
They Know When and How to Communicate
The primary role is to manage, design, and monitor information systems in a variety of settings. They oversee staff that plan, install, and maintain hardware and software upgrades. They must be effective communicators and have the ability to multi-task. They also know when to communicate with vendors, employers, other team members etc. Many times they will need to unify multiple parties across multiple platforms to get things accomplished. Clear and effective communication is key.
They Care About Their Company’s Growth
In numerous instances, when we have attempted to present our WMS and shipping solution to IT teams, the discussions have been curtailed early. The most common responses are that they prefer to manage all customizations internally or that they are not currently interested in exploring external solutions.
However, in more favorable situations, these same teams acknowledge that if our product already delivers the functionality they have developed in-house, it may warrant further evaluation at the organizational level.
They Know They Don’t Know Everything
The real heroes in my book are professionals who understand that they don’t have all the answers—and who genuinely value collaborating with others who bring complementary expertise. It’s incredibly refreshing to work with humble, capable people who can coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and keep projects moving forward in a productive way. No one can know everything—and if you happen to know someone who does, I’d love an introduction.
In Conclusion
A huge hats off to my information system manager heroes. You hold everything together in ways most people never see. If no one reminded you today—your work truly matters, and so do you.
