Feb17
After 20+ years steering tech teams through scaling, sell-offs, and the occasional dumpster fire, here’s what I wish I’d known sooner:
1. “Cutting-Edge” ≠ Business Value
Sometime ago, I pushed a blockchain solution for a logistics client. It failed. Why? Their core issue was outdated inventory software—not a lack of blockchain. Lesson: Solve today’s problems, not tomorrow’s fantasies.
2. Your Team > Your Tech Stack
A-star engineers with toxic egos sink companies. At a fintech startup, I prioritized cultural fit over GitHub commit counts. Result? A 40% drop in turnover. Hire for curiosity, not just coding trophies.
3. Failure is Data, Not Defeat
A crashed app launch cost us $50K—but exposed flawed QA processes. We rebuilt, adopting automated testing. Two years later, that same framework attracted a Fortune 1000 acquisition.
4. Speak Human, Not Python
CEOs care about ROI, not REST APIs. I once rephrased “latency reduction” as “faster checkout = 12% more sales.” Suddenly, budget approvals flowed.
5. Security Debt is a Silent Killer
At a healthtech firm, we postponed a security audit to hit a launch date. A breach six months later cost 3x the audit fee. Now, I bake security into sprint zero.
6. Agility Needs Guardrails
“Move fast and break things” breaks companies. Balance speed with documentation. My rule: If it’s mission-critical, document it like you’re handing it to a competitor.
7. Curiosity is Your Greatest Skill
The CTO who mastered microservices in 2018 is irrelevant today. I dedicate 10% of my week to learning—whether AI ethics or TikTok’s algo (yes, seriously).
The Unfiltered Truth
Being a CTO isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about asking the right questions, shielding your team from chaos, and knowing when to scrap your own ideas.
Keywords: Leadership, IT Strategy, IT Leadership
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