Many Premier 100 honorees say that the most effective way to develop and maintain strong connections with senior executives is to listen carefully to what they have to say and try to place yourself in their shoes. "It's important to speak to [business executives] in a language and with concepts that they understand," says John Glaser, vice president and CIO at Partners HealthCare System Inc. in Boston.

"I have a teenage daughter, and often our views of the world don't connect at all," says Glaser, explaining that he bridges the divide with senior business executives at Partners HealthCare just as he does with his daughter -- by speaking in terms they're familiar with.

Says Glaser, "You have to be on the same intellectual plane."

Glaser has been the CIO at Partners HealthCare for 10 years and has always reported to the chief operating officer. His discussions with senior executives at Partners HealthCare vary by topic. Budget discussions are held with the CFO, and meetings about strategic initiatives are typically held with the CEO, says Glaser. So what does he talk to the COO about?

"Major complex political issues that have to be resolved," says Glaser. These could include updates on the status of doctor/patient Internet-based communications capabilities that Partners HealthCare provides.