WHY THIS BOOK EXISTS
Why Digital Transformation Creates Chaos
Most digital initiatives do not fail because of technology.
They struggle because:
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Pressure rises faster than clarity
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Teams resist when they feel unheard
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Leaders carry responsibility alone
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Fear quietly shapes decisions
When stress takes over, communication breaks down.
When communication breaks down, trust follows.
This book was written for leaders living inside that reality.
THE CORE IDEA
From SCARE to CARES: A Leadership Shift
During change, organizations often fall into SCARE:
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Stress
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Confusion
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Anxiety
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Resistance
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Ego
CARES offers a better way forward:
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Communicate clearly
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Adjust when conditions change
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Build strong working relationships
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Give people ownership
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Stay calm under pressure
This framework helps leaders respond with intention instead of reaction.
WHAT READERS WILL LEARN
What You’ll Gain From This Book
Readers of SCARE to CARES will learn how to:
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Lead teams through uncertainty without losing trust
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Make better decisions when pressure is high
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Reduce resistance during digital change
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Strengthen communication across roles
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Create steady progress without burnout
Each chapter connects leadership decisions to real outcomes.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
Who Should Read SCARE to CARES
This book is written for:
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CIOs, CISOs, and technology leaders
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Executives responsible for transformation
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Project and program leaders
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Public sector and higher-education professionals
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Leaders guiding people through uncertainty
If you are responsible for both results and people, this book speaks directly to you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About Saby Waraich
Saby Waraich is a global keynote speaker, award-winning CIO and CISO, and leadership advisor with over two decades of experience guiding organizations through complex change.
His work spans government, education, and enterprise environments where decisions carry real consequences.
The ideas in this book are shaped by lived experience, not theory.
The foreword is written by Jack Canfield, bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
EARLY PRAISE
What Early Readers Are Saying
I have known Saby as a great IT Leader for over 10 years now. His new book – “Scare to Cares” is an excellent guide for Digital Transformation in any business. Saby is an expert on IT leadership for business transformation and project management techniques. In this book, speaking from decades of experience, Saby provides a unique, tested framework for how technology can help to transform businesses in a very dynamic environment. He also addresses the challenging human side of the transformation. The clear emphasis on communication and empowerment is what will enable organizations to succeed where many have failed. This book should be a must read for every business and IT executive.
Manoj Garg
Author and Managing Partner - VIE
Sriram Sundararajan
VC & Professor of
Venture Capital and Marketin
Saby Waraich’s “Scare to CARES” is a masterclass in turning digital transformation from a source of fear into a disciplined, human-centered leadership journey. Drawing from his extensive real-world experience as a transformation leader and keynote speaker, Saby distills complex change dynamics into the clear and actionable CARES framework — Communicate with Empathy, Adapt with Agility, build Relationships, Empower teams, and Stay calm under pressure. His “Implementation Flywheel” elegantly bridges strategy and execution, offering leaders a sustainable path through push points, friction, momentum, and cultural integration. This is not just another digital strategy book. Rather it’s a field manual for leaders ready to guide their organizations through transformation with confidence and care.
In a world where digital transformation can feel overwhelming, this book makes the journey approachable. The SCARE to CARES framework is simple yet powerful... something readers will remember and use. I particularly value how Saby centers humanity in change: the emotions, hesitations, and aspirations that define real leadership moments. The clear frameworks and reflection questions move the material from theory to practice, enabling leaders to plan and act with intention. For those starting their leadership journey in a fast moving technology-driven environment, this book is a compassionate, practical guide to finding confidence and success in the face of chaos and disruption.
Andrea Ballinger
Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer - Oregon State University
Nadia Hansen
Ex-CIO | Top 50 AI Leader
Saby Waraich has written a book that every leader responsible for driving change should read. Too often, digital transformation is described in technical terms, but this book gets to the heart of what really matters: people. The CARES framework provides simple yet powerful steps to lead through stress, resistance, and uncertainty without burning out teams. I found the real-world stories especially useful because they show how leaders can apply these principles in action. This is not theory - it's practical guidance for anyone leading a project, a department, or an entire organization. The book reminded me that clarity, empathy, and calm decision-making are the true drivers of transformation. Leaders at every level will benefit from these lessons.
SPEAKING & ORGANIZATIONAL WORK
Bringing the CARES Framework to Organizations
Saby also works with leadership teams through:
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Keynotes
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Executive coaching
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Leadership sessions
The same framework in this book is used in real organizations navigating change.