Well, I could see your good business knowledge in your points. Point #5 stopped me and made me think… In a perfect world, I would agree with you...

Take this example. A CIO in a 'C' level meetings with one of his/her managers proving him wrong multiple times... how would CIO feel, and what that make the CIO look in front of other top heads.

As a respect, I tell my CIO when he is wrong behind close doors and in a polite way with something like "I think there is a better way...”

If I feel that he crossed the line, I will softly cut in and say something like "what xxxxxx is trying to say..." or “to xxxxx’s point…”

It may even come to as your conclusion, if you have a good managers WITH WISDOM, point #5 shouldn't rise.

I agree with your point. (I wrote the original post you replied to.)

If we have good managers that respond similarly, and/or the CIO is NOT a bad CIO, it should not be an issue.

However, if you have a "bad" CIO, who is likely to go off on seemingly benign comments, some managers tend to keep their head down. I am admittedly not the most diplomatic manager, but knowing that the CIO has certain tendencies, I try to keep a low profile as well. Although, I am not the type of person that will go along with something that may need further discussion. I have come to the defense of other managers as diplomaticlly as possible with comments such as you suggested - "What I think he intended to say..." or "I don't think he was suggesting...".

I have learned, and have counseled some of our other managers, that when he is in his "attack mode" to not try to argue the point in the staff meeting, but get with him later for a one on one.

Thanks for your input.

You stated: "Take this example. A CIO in a 'C' level meetings with one of his/her managers proving him wrong multiple times... how would CIO feel, and what that make the CIO look in front of other top heads".

My reply to that is - just because he is the CIO, does that always make him right? I think not. If he is wrong, he is wrong. Why should he be treated with more respect than any other employee? What makes him special, besides his title or paycheck? Just because someone is in a management position does not make them more knowledgeable than others.

If someone is "bashing" or disagreeing with the CIO in public, that's disrespect. I believe what #5 is referring to is practice of the CIO surrounding him/herself with "Yes people", never wanting to appear wrong, likes to be the center of intelligence and never needs to justify their opinion or decisions.

Many of us have lived in that world and your experience or intelligence is not appreciated. Time to move on.