Finally, create the phenomenon of winning. People in losing games don't have fun. There are exceptions, but if you're losing, it will generally be a crappy place to work. The converse isn't always true. It's not guaranteed that if you're winning, it will be a great culture, but if you're losing, it will be a lousy one. You have to create the experience of winning or the confidence that we're going to. In IT, you can create the phenomena of a successful department meeting its goals, well regarded in the company, with a reputation for performance. If over time a CIO can't figure out how to win, he won't keep the best players.

This is the latest in a series of monthly discussions with Harvard Business Review authors on topics of interest to IT managers.