CIOs of the future have to do more than react to change: they need to become more efficient at connecting themselves to the source of change and managing it for tangible business improvement. This article outlines seven steps CIOs can follow potentially drive their careers to a strategic role. The initial four steps outline a process to better locate and manage change in their organization. If done well, an additional three steps provide a path for CIOs to pursue (and promote themselves) toward a new "strategic business planning" role that will benefit their current organization and their own long-term career plans.