His time away made Miller higher fitted to the CTO function as a result of it gave him “publicity to different various conditions,” he says, and completely different prospects, which led him to develop “artistic approaches” to problem-solving.

Acquainted tradition and folks

Whereas on the Federal Reserve Financial institution, Postulka realized rather a lot about cybersecurity and infrastructure, which he says complemented expertise he had in app growth and software program engineering.

Shifting into the C-suite, particularly through the pandemic, Postulka found what it took to be an government and lead a distant workforce by videoconferencing. That meant having to successfully talk and affect individuals throughout the nation, he says.

Arbella Insurance coverage Group

When the CIO function opened up at Arbella, Postulka’s curiosity was piqued. To meet his profession targets at an organization he was acquainted with was an intriguing concept, however “truthfully, what introduced me again was the tradition and folks,” he says. “Arbella is a superb place to work, and I had stayed in contact with so many of oldsters I had labored with through the years at an organization I used to be very proud to work at.”

Postulka credit each organizations with instructing him the significance of constructing connections and relationships by being affected person and listening to what individuals must say. When you’ve got an concept that you really want assist on, you would possibly get pushback, he says, however that’s the place negotiation is available in.

Changing into a profitable CIO requires studying “the place to face your floor and when to be much less egocentric and extra selfless. … It helps get you assist on the government degree,” Postulka says. “It additionally doesn’t damage to have allies on the chief board and you must notice you’ll be able to’t do that every one alone.”

An important management ideas he has realized from his journey leaving and returning to Arbella? The significance of surrounding your self with the precise workforce and the way very important it’s to retain expertise. “Everybody says that,” Postulka notes, “nevertheless it’s so crucial to your success and the group’s success.”

How greatest to boomerang

Each Postulka and Miller say that should you’re contemplating returning to a higher-level IT place at a former firm, first contemplate what you’re making an attempt to realize in your profession.

Conditions at former organizations change, and a number of other years can go by, “however should you’re nonetheless acquainted with the tradition and there are constant threads, and if that appealed to you prior to now, strongly contemplate whether or not it is going to be an enabler for you going ahead,” Postulka says.

For some, returning to a earlier worker might really feel like going backward, even when leveling up. However for Postulka that has not been the case. As a substitute, it’s been a possibility to form and construct one thing for himself and for a company he continues to look after.  

“I gained a ton of expertise for 2 years [at the Federal Reserve Bank] and have a broader perspective on how issues will be performed, and I’m making use of that to a company I’m acquainted with,” Postulka says.

Miller agrees, saying he felt he had unfinished work to do at IFS. “It has felt like residence since I’ve come again … I really feel like I’m the place I belong.”

He provides, “It’s a must to do it in your phrases and the way it suits in along with your private development and the profession story of what you wish to accomplish.”