SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 24
Download to read offline
The Role of CTO
Camille Fournier, CTO, Rent the
Runway
@skamille
A Rantifesto!
ARE YOU A VESTIGIAL
APPENDAGE?
The Role of CTO: A Rantifesto
YOUR JOB IS ALWAYS
CHANGING, YOUR COMPANY IS
ALWAYS EVOLVING
GROW AND EVOLVE WITH
THIS OPPORTUNITY
!CTO
THE BEST ENGINEER IN THE
COMPANY
The Role of CTO: A Rantifesto
The natural
conclusion
of a
successful
engineering
career
THE SAME THING AT EVERY
COMPANY
So then, what IS a CTO?
A strategic role
AN EXECUTIVE ROLE
A TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
ROLE
How do I keep up?
Don’t give up the management stuff too
quickly!
LEARN ABOUT THE BUSINESS
YOUR BUSINESS IS IN
Focus on collaborating with people
outside of engineering
We are more than “just
programmers”
Show up for what is needed.
People … grow according to the
demands they make on themselves.
They grow according to what they
consider to be achievement and
attainment. If they demand little of
themselves, they will remain stunted. If
they demand a good deal of
themselves, they will grow to giant
stature—without any more effort than
is expended by the nonachievers.
Peter Drucker, “The Effective
Executive”
EVOLVE
@skamille

More Related Content

What's hot

We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)Authoritas
 
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup ctoSilvan Mühlemann
 
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko Jennifer volk, anton naumenko
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko Lviv Startup Club
 
Final startup grind
Final startup grindFinal startup grind
Final startup grindMark Suster
 
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed of
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed ofBuild the decentralized team you ever dreamed of
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed ofTheFamily
 
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think
Startup Failure Is Not What You ThinkStartup Failure Is Not What You Think
Startup Failure Is Not What You ThinkSergey Sundukovskiy
 
Onboarding developers and setting them up for success
Onboarding developers and setting them up for successOnboarding developers and setting them up for success
Onboarding developers and setting them up for successTheFamily
 
How to shine in a Tech DD
How to shine in a Tech DDHow to shine in a Tech DD
How to shine in a Tech DDChris Philipps
 
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDs
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDsWhat I learned from 200+ Tech DDs
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDsChris Philipps
 
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshop
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshopTOA - How to survive a TechDD workshop
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshopChris Philipps
 
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"eFounders
 
Demystifying the product black box
Demystifying the product black boxDemystifying the product black box
Demystifying the product black boxTheFamily
 
Design thinking & lean startup
Design thinking & lean startupDesign thinking & lean startup
Design thinking & lean startupRemko Vermeulen
 
Course description & content
Course description & contentCourse description & content
Course description & contentssusereb85c4
 
Lean start up primer
Lean start up primerLean start up primer
Lean start up primerAndrew Hirst
 
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5Phil McKinney
 
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute Version
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute VersionIgnore The Obvious - 30 Minute Version
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute VersionPhil McKinney
 

What's hot (20)

We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
We’re looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
 
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto
141125 10 lessons learned being a startup cto
 
Ruben gambarov
Ruben gambarov  Ruben gambarov
Ruben gambarov
 
Valeriy zamarayev
Valeriy zamarayev   Valeriy zamarayev
Valeriy zamarayev
 
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko Jennifer volk, anton naumenko
Jennifer volk, anton naumenko
 
Final startup grind
Final startup grindFinal startup grind
Final startup grind
 
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed of
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed ofBuild the decentralized team you ever dreamed of
Build the decentralized team you ever dreamed of
 
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think
Startup Failure Is Not What You ThinkStartup Failure Is Not What You Think
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think
 
Onboarding developers and setting them up for success
Onboarding developers and setting them up for successOnboarding developers and setting them up for success
Onboarding developers and setting them up for success
 
How to shine in a Tech DD
How to shine in a Tech DDHow to shine in a Tech DD
How to shine in a Tech DD
 
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDs
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDsWhat I learned from 200+ Tech DDs
What I learned from 200+ Tech DDs
 
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshop
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshopTOA - How to survive a TechDD workshop
TOA - How to survive a TechDD workshop
 
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"
Building Startups: the "3rd co-founder model"
 
Demystifying the product black box
Demystifying the product black boxDemystifying the product black box
Demystifying the product black box
 
Lean Startup 101
Lean Startup 101Lean Startup 101
Lean Startup 101
 
Design thinking & lean startup
Design thinking & lean startupDesign thinking & lean startup
Design thinking & lean startup
 
Course description & content
Course description & contentCourse description & content
Course description & content
 
Lean start up primer
Lean start up primerLean start up primer
Lean start up primer
 
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5
Introduction To The Killer Innovation Approach Ver 5
 
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute Version
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute VersionIgnore The Obvious - 30 Minute Version
Ignore The Obvious - 30 Minute Version
 

Viewers also liked

CTO vs. VP of Engineering
CTO vs. VP of EngineeringCTO vs. VP of Engineering
CTO vs. VP of Engineeringbcantrill
 
Building and Scaling Technical Teams
Building and Scaling Technical TeamsBuilding and Scaling Technical Teams
Building and Scaling Technical TeamsJason Hoffman
 
Building Engaged Teams in 2017
Building Engaged Teams in 2017Building Engaged Teams in 2017
Building Engaged Teams in 2017Camille Fournier
 
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibe
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibeHow to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibe
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibeCamille Fournier
 
So You Want to Rewrite That...
So You Want to Rewrite That...So You Want to Rewrite That...
So You Want to Rewrite That...Camille Fournier
 
Technical Debt Management
Technical Debt ManagementTechnical Debt Management
Technical Debt ManagementMark Niebergall
 
How to build your own iOS framework
How to build your own iOS frameworkHow to build your own iOS framework
How to build your own iOS frameworkBilly Tobon
 
The role of a CTO in a company
The role of a CTO in a companyThe role of a CTO in a company
The role of a CTO in a companyJordi Bruix
 
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade Servers
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade ServersOverview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade Servers
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade ServersBlue Medora
 
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)Camille Fournier
 
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems Design
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems DesignHopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems Design
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems DesignCamille Fournier
 

Viewers also liked (16)

CTO @ startup
CTO @ startupCTO @ startup
CTO @ startup
 
CTO vs. VP of Engineering
CTO vs. VP of EngineeringCTO vs. VP of Engineering
CTO vs. VP of Engineering
 
Building and Scaling Technical Teams
Building and Scaling Technical TeamsBuilding and Scaling Technical Teams
Building and Scaling Technical Teams
 
Building Engaged Teams in 2017
Building Engaged Teams in 2017Building Engaged Teams in 2017
Building Engaged Teams in 2017
 
Zoo keeper for ricon
Zoo keeper for riconZoo keeper for ricon
Zoo keeper for ricon
 
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibe
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibeHow to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibe
How to go from structureless to structured without losing your vibe
 
The Changing Role Of The CIO
The Changing Role Of The CIOThe Changing Role Of The CIO
The Changing Role Of The CIO
 
So You Want to Rewrite That...
So You Want to Rewrite That...So You Want to Rewrite That...
So You Want to Rewrite That...
 
Technical Debt Management
Technical Debt ManagementTechnical Debt Management
Technical Debt Management
 
How to build your own iOS framework
How to build your own iOS frameworkHow to build your own iOS framework
How to build your own iOS framework
 
Infosys
InfosysInfosys
Infosys
 
The role of a CTO in a company
The role of a CTO in a companyThe role of a CTO in a company
The role of a CTO in a company
 
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade Servers
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade ServersOverview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade Servers
Overview of Blue Medora - New Relic Plugin for HP Blade Servers
 
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)
Keynote talk: How to stay in love with programming (with notes)
 
The Elements of Scaling
The Elements of ScalingThe Elements of Scaling
The Elements of Scaling
 
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems Design
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems DesignHopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems Design
Hopelessness and Confidence in Distributed Systems Design
 

Similar to The Role of CTO: A Rantifesto

THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...
THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...
THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...Aneel Mitra
 
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...Massimiliano Caruso
 
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It Wrong
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It WrongHiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It Wrong
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It WrongTaleo Research
 
Star Care Innovation Focus
Star Care Innovation FocusStar Care Innovation Focus
Star Care Innovation FocusRavi Shakamuri
 
Star careinnovation
Star careinnovationStar careinnovation
Star careinnovationguest8f323f8
 
Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?CelexProject
 
Entrepreneurial DNA
Entrepreneurial DNAEntrepreneurial DNA
Entrepreneurial DNAsohailgondal
 
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at Brigad
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at BrigadMixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at Brigad
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at BrigadTheFamily
 
Startup learnings for ad dino corpos
Startup learnings for ad dino corposStartup learnings for ad dino corpos
Startup learnings for ad dino corposTomasz Pawlikowski
 
Korn ferry gartner cio presentation - silicon valley
Korn ferry   gartner cio presentation - silicon valleyKorn ferry   gartner cio presentation - silicon valley
Korn ferry gartner cio presentation - silicon valleybobconcannon
 
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011bobconcannon
 
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)Vitaliy Verbenko
 
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)Vitaliy Verbenko
 
The elements of your career
The elements of your careerThe elements of your career
The elements of your careerAndrei Rubaniuk
 
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert SchiesslSébastien Bourguignon
 
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next DecadeKaren Zeigler
 
The Nature of Knowledge Work
The Nature of Knowledge WorkThe Nature of Knowledge Work
The Nature of Knowledge WorkKeith Swenson
 
The CIO Perspective
The CIO PerspectiveThe CIO Perspective
The CIO Perspectivebennykirsh
 

Similar to The Role of CTO: A Rantifesto (20)

THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...
THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...
THE SIX TRAITS OF IT-DRIVEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS- Does Your Organization Share...
 
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...
Startup | the impact of CEOs achieving superstar status on the performance of...
 
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It Wrong
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It WrongHiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It Wrong
Hiring for Critical Roles: You're Doing It Wrong
 
Star Care Innovation Focus
Star Care Innovation FocusStar Care Innovation Focus
Star Care Innovation Focus
 
Star careinnovation
Star careinnovationStar careinnovation
Star careinnovation
 
Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?
 
CEO THINKING CAP
CEO THINKING CAPCEO THINKING CAP
CEO THINKING CAP
 
Cto work in it
Cto work in itCto work in it
Cto work in it
 
Entrepreneurial DNA
Entrepreneurial DNAEntrepreneurial DNA
Entrepreneurial DNA
 
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at Brigad
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at BrigadMixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at Brigad
Mixing Product & Tech by Jean Lebrument, CTO & CPO at Brigad
 
Startup learnings for ad dino corpos
Startup learnings for ad dino corposStartup learnings for ad dino corpos
Startup learnings for ad dino corpos
 
Korn ferry gartner cio presentation - silicon valley
Korn ferry   gartner cio presentation - silicon valleyKorn ferry   gartner cio presentation - silicon valley
Korn ferry gartner cio presentation - silicon valley
 
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011
Korn/Ferry & Gartner Group CIO Edge presentation - Silicon Valley, July 2011
 
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Deadly Mistakes That Kill Startups (According to Experts)
 
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)
20 Mistakes that Kill Startups (According to Experts)
 
The elements of your career
The elements of your careerThe elements of your career
The elements of your career
 
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl
#PortraitDeStartuper #11 - Verteego - Rupert Schiessl
 
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade
26 reasons Inward-facing Innovation is the Trend for the Next Decade
 
The Nature of Knowledge Work
The Nature of Knowledge WorkThe Nature of Knowledge Work
The Nature of Knowledge Work
 
The CIO Perspective
The CIO PerspectiveThe CIO Perspective
The CIO Perspective
 

Recently uploaded

2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog
2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog
2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed CatalogGreen Acres Outdoor Living
 
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilient
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be ResilientSafecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilient
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilientakhilash P
 
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdf
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdfSupermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdf
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdfKarliNelson4
 
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In Streaming
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In StreamingNavigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In Streaming
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In StreamingTinuiti
 
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New Terrain
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New TerrainMeasuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New Terrain
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New TerrainTinuiti
 
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdf
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdfWinning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdf
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdfJasper Colin
 
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdf
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdfIngka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdf
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdfNeo4j
 
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital Media
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital MediaState Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital Media
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital MediaTinuiti
 
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................sibilap
 
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel Growth
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel GrowthThe Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel Growth
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel GrowthTinuiti
 

Recently uploaded (10)

2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog
2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog
2024 Green Acres Marietta Georgia Shed Catalog
 
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilient
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be ResilientSafecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilient
Safecastle Preparedness Handbook: Be Ready, Be Resilient
 
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdf
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdfSupermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdf
Supermarket Floral Ad Roundup- Week 11 2024.pdf
 
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In Streaming
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In StreamingNavigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In Streaming
Navigating The Cookieless Era: Maximizing 1P Data In Streaming
 
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New Terrain
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New TerrainMeasuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New Terrain
Measuring Brand Equity: Navigating Video’s New Terrain
 
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdf
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdfWinning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdf
Winning the Hearts of Gen Z and Millennial Consumers.pdf
 
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdf
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdfIngka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdf
Ingka Digital_Linked Metadata by Design.pdf
 
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital Media
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital MediaState Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital Media
State Of The Union: The Past, Present & Future Of Digital Media
 
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................
retail unit 1 ppt.pptx..........................
 
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel Growth
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel GrowthThe Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel Growth
The Power Of Podcast: Driving Full-Funnel Growth
 

The Role of CTO: A Rantifesto

Editor's Notes

  1. The role of CTO is a fairly new, modern role. Came about in the late 80s, and as tech eats the world it continues to evolve The role too often seems to get typecast as a necessary evil held y people who don’t know or care about running a business. It is often held to low expectations, as long as the CTO isn’t too disruptive they’re considered to be successful. It’s coddled and tolerated because of the tech crunch, but by allowing ourselves to be held to lower standards we actually weaken the status of all engineers in our businesses.
  2. Like an appendix
  3. Or a tail Something we have evolved not to need, or even to work around
  4. This is not a cushy job, it’s time to get uncomfortable Next slide: Grow and evolve with this opportunity
  5. How do you evolve to keep from being a vestige of the past to being part of thriving present and future?
  6. You have many different types of engineers, frontend, backend, ops, you can’t be “the best” at all of those areas
  7. Too hands-on Story of broken build frustrating me, hero parachuting in
  8. Most engineers would not be happy with the job of CTO. They may imagine that it is like the engineer who gets to work on the juiciest projects and make the technical decisions CTO is not the cushy job given to overfed overprivileged engineers just because we’re in a talent crunch
  9. Strategic role: Many possible futures of the business Near or distant future depending on duration of the company Inspires the team and helps them understand what they’re working towards in the long-run A bursty exercise
  10. a person with senior managerial responsibility in a business organization Executives are doers, they must execute
  11. Evaluating new technologies, guiding the team on adoption of new technologies and practices Not just about you individually seeing opportunities, but about having an organization that is capable of surfacing and embracing technical opportunities
  12. The CTO must protect the technology team from becoming a pure execution arm for ideas without tending to its own needs and its own ideas. If technology becomes an execution arm, and you have no management execution influence, it becomes impossible to get things done All the strategic ideas in the world are meaningless if you can’t ever execute against them Purely influential leadership is very, very hard to pull off
  13. Devs may not need to know that much to be happy and successful, but the executives do To identify opportunities for technology to make the biggest impact, you have to understand the landscape of the business you’re in
  14. Focus on collaborating with people outside of engineering Your #1 team is not engineering, it is your executive team This is where influence leadership comes into play You have to be able to take technical challenges and translate them for external parties and vice versa You’re building more than a tech team or platform, you’re helping to build and lead a company
  15. People … grow according to the demands they make on themselves. They grow according to what they consider to be achievement and attainment. If they demand little of themselves, they will remain stunted. If they demand a good deal of themselves, they will grow to giant stature—without any more effort than is expended by the nonachievers. We have the power and ability to do more, but we have to see the needs and go after them, raise the bar for ourselves.
  16. For the sake of your team, for the sake of your company, Evolve