Nevertheless, Willinge noted the job of a CIO, like any other C-level executives, is demanding and challenging. "Coaching is an important and liberating experience, because things that you don't realize about yourself and your career emerge," he said. "CIOs should be going through this program with the same intensity as other C-level peers."

In addition to training for general senior executives from EMBA programs and customized engagement through executive coaching, there are also programs in Hong Kong that brings different value--an IT-oriented leadership development program.

Organized by the UK-based CIO networking community CIO Connect, the Next Generation Program provides development for a group of IT middle management to enhance their leadership competency in order to bring transformation in their respective organizations.

The program was first brought to Hong Kong in 2010 as an internal training program for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Since then the program has been extended to include CLP and the Hospital Authority. The program enters its third year in Q3 2012 and continues to focus on training leaders to deal with IT-specific challenges in Hong Kong.