The CTO Substack

Opinion, analysis and insights from Etienne de Bruin, founder of 7CTOs

The hottest Substack posts of The CTO Substack

And their main takeaways
339 implied HN points 26 Jul 24
  1. Taking notes is about more than just gathering information. It's about building your own understanding and knowledge over time.
  2. Using a structured method, like the Zettelkasten system, can help you organize your thoughts and learn more effectively.
  3. Writing regularly about what you learn can change how you approach your work and meetings, making them opportunities for growth.
499 implied HN points 29 Jun 24
  1. Determine your consulting rate based on client revenue and C-Suite salaries. This helps set a fair price for your services.
  2. Consider the complexity of the company and its engineering team size. A larger or more complicated organization may require a higher fee due to increased work.
  3. Always get paid before starting the work. This ensures that clients respect your time and commitment right from the beginning.
279 implied HN points 13 Jun 24
  1. Being technically correct isn't enough for a CTO. It's important to communicate effectively with the rest of the team to be truly understood.
  2. CTOs often feel unheard and frustrated, especially when their technical insights aren’t respected. They need to connect their concerns to the company's overall goals more clearly.
  3. Success as a CTO comes from focusing on team dynamics and collaboration rather than just being right. Building relationships and understanding others' perspectives is key.
2 HN points 31 Aug 24
  1. As a CTO, it's important to shift focus from just coding to empowering your team. Your role is about building capabilities that help the company grow, not just doing the coding yourself.
  2. Devote specific days of the week to different themes, like 'Momentum Mondays' for delivery and 'Teaming Tuesdays' for collaboration. This structure can help manage your time and prioritize what matters.
  3. Start small by blocking out just 15 minutes a day for these focused activities. This can help you gradually build better habits and ultimately enhance your leadership impact.