This CIO Brings Leaders to a Nature Expedition to Rethink Leadership

Why should CIOs step away from being the "technical fixer" to lead effectively?

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jeff Ton, former CIO of Ton Enterprises, LLC, and a seasoned leader in IT and leadership development. Jeff shares his journey from COBOL punch cards to guiding leaders on transformative expeditions inspired by the Lewis and Clark trail. He explains why leadership is about more than just technical skills and how understanding core values can shape a team’s vision.

Leadership comes with both challenges and rewards, and Jeff explores what it really takes to guide a team. He shares how experiences, even a nature expedition, can offer fresh perspectives and reshape the way leaders see their role.

Key takeaways

• Leadership is about enabling others, not just controlling outcomes
• Strong communication builds trust and drives alignment within teams
• CIOs who focus on people and vision, not just the tech, make the biggest impact

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) How prioritizing the right projects transforms IT momentum

(06:45) AI as a tool for transformation, not a one-size-fits-all solution

(13:44) On leadership, writing, and walking the Lewis and Clark Trail

(19:11) How to navigate leadership with a balanced perspective

(24:09) Lessons on tech and music

(27:56) Rapid-fire questions

Resources

Jeff Ton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtonindy/
Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Ton Enterprises, LLC: https://jeffreyston.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Explore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS