It isn’t uncommon for CIOs to look at their business through rose-colored glasses. Often, leaders prefer to be optimistic about their companies, but overly wishful thinking is just something that gives people a mechanism for fooling themselves.

Typically, people lie to themselves far more often than they do to their staff or colleagues, but these small deceptions can be damaging. However, they also provide opportunities for personal growth, allowing leaders to look inward to determine their reasons behind the little white lies they tell themselves.

With that in mind, here are a few common lies CIOs tell themselves and what you can learn from them.

Upgrades Aren’t Necessary Until They Provide More Business Value

The idea of putting off an upgrade until the newest version significantly improves the current experience sounds like a smart move. Many CIOs think the approach is savvy, as it avoids “unnecessary” IT spending. But upgrades shouldn’t be treated the same way as new technology investments. Instead, they should be seen as a form of maintenance and, from that perspective, it’s easier to see that investing in it now can help decrease costs later, while ensuring you have access to the most robust solution available.

We Can Catch Up on That Critical Project

Many IT projects are large ventures. They require a significant amount of planning and can be expensive, so the idea of meeting the target deadline no matter what seems like a smart move.

But, the larger the project, the more likely that initial assumptions will turn out to be inaccurate. Plus, various unknowns are likely to rear their heads, throwing off the original schedule. Once that happens, simply catching up during the next phase isn’t especially plausible.

Trying to force it can lead to a subpar outcome and puts undue pressure on your staff. Instead of telling yourself that the original deadline is still achievable, make an adjustment. You’ll get a higher quality result that way, and that should truly be the priority.

Our Security is Tight

Often, when a CIO asserts that their level of IT security is extremely solid, they are only examining specific key elements. For example, achieving a compliance certification may make you believe your security is top-notch, but it doesn’t mean your system is impenetrable. Instead, it just represents that your system checks specific boxes.

Even the seemingly most secure systems are vulnerable, so it is always better to assume that there are holes that need to be plugged and risks that you must manage. This approach actually gives you an opportunity to improve continuously, ensuring you stay up to date on the latest threats and mitigate them to the best of your ability.

CIOs often have a lot on their plate, so occasionally lying to themselves may make things seem more manageable. But not being honest can have disastrous results, so it’s wise to face the reality of every situation. That way, you can find ways to improve while saving your company a lot of hassle in the future.

If you would like to improve your IT hiring processes, the professionals at MindFinders offer comprehensive staffing solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to see how our services can work for you.

Written by Tim Booker, President and CEO of MindFinders, with over 20 years of industry experience.