While getting the coveted executive position might seem like the end goal. It is only the beginning, or rather it should be if you really want to stand out and be excellent. Being an effective leader is an evolution and comprises of some core practices.
Keep on learning
CTO has to be able to communicate new technology or even, just technology to the rest of the business. As technology advances at a great pace, being ahead of those changes and challenges is crucial. How can you communicate that which you have not learned? You can’t, so constant education is essential for long term company success. It not only helps to anticipate and prepare for issues down the line, it instills unified trust in you too.
Only fools rush in
When it comes to the technological debate or the best practices within the organization, it might be tempting to lay down path without concern fro other viewpoints. Well, that is what an inexperienced and uncaring CTO might do, but those who want to engage in useful debate will never ride roughshod over his teams. Take time and patience to listen to alternative perspectives. Patience, tact and diplomacy can help navigate through opposing opinions and help you learn while you are at it.
Be a people person
Not to be misconstrued as sociability or gregariousness, but how you speak to and engage with people. It is one of those soft skills that might be poo-pooed by more old school leaders, but it is essential today. How else can you inspire others to stand behind your vision if you don’t possess empathy, kindness or the ability to listen? Or even possess a desire for your teams to grow and succeed within themselves? Prioritizing people means a toxic workplace with a high attrition rate can be exorcised before it gets chance.
You’re hired!
Being at the executive level does not mean hiring is out of your remit. In fact I would say it should be more firmly entrenched within it. Being aware of the talent that comes into the technology team is a good litmus test for a great CTO, do you leave it to HR and hope for the best or do you like to get involved? It is not micromanaging to want to know who or what can enhance the team. It is due diligence and who better than the CTO to be able to how to accomplish the company goals?
It’s a game of strategy
The best CTOs have mastered or at least begun to develop the skill of strategic thinking. They do not get distracted by the immediate event and always have a big picture in mind. Think chess not checkers. While the developers, designers, PMs focus on execution of the vision, the CTO should be leading and guiding them towards the project/company goal. This means staying updated on new tech and trends, watching the competition, anticipating the next step all while keeping cool and calm if bumps (that they have already factored in) arise.
Set the scene
If nothing else, a CTO must be able to set and execute their vision. Think of it like a manifesto that you will be held accountable for. A great CTO will set the direction for the engineering team and sometimes even the product team with a long term vision. We are not talking about 3 month plans but years in advance with flexibility and safeguards built into the timeline. This is where skills such as communication and being a people person come into play, because those skills will help tell the story, get buy-in and cement the vision.
Me and my mentor
Good talent is hard to find and even when you find it how do you keep it? Mentoring is one way to establish a culture of growth within the organization. When people know they can learn and advance their skills for the future it has the added side effect of talent retention. That said a good CTO will provide the right environment for mentoring and still have the view that their mentee might outgrow and leave. That is perfectly okay too because they can still be part of a great CTO’s legacy.