Six Tips for Staying Technical as a CTO

Here's what’s on my mind as a technical leader: How do I gain the credibility of the smart people on my team who are far more technical and detailed than I am, in order to lead them?

Shopify logo
Shopify
•
Allan Leinwand
•13 min read•intermediate•
--
•View Original
GolangRailsWebAssembly

Overview

The article provides insights for Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) on how to maintain technical expertise while managing teams. It emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership choices and offers practical tips to stay engaged with technology amidst managerial responsibilities.

What You'll Learn

1

How to effectively read and absorb technical information quickly

2

Why coding as a hobby can enhance your technical understanding

3

How to leverage hackathons to stay informed about innovations

4

When to prioritize hiring well to maintain team effectiveness

5

How to manage operational issues to focus on innovation

Key Questions Answered

How can a CTO stay technical while managing a large organization?
A CTO can stay technical by being a voracious reader, coding as a hobby, participating in hackathons, hiring well, creating a team of tech advisors, and managing operational issues effectively. These strategies help maintain technical credibility and foster innovation within the team.
What are the benefits of participating in hackathons for technical leaders?
Participating in hackathons allows technical leaders to engage with teams, understand new innovations, and foster collaboration. It provides a platform to review projects and encourage creativity, which is essential for staying informed about industry trends and advancements.
Why is hiring well crucial for a CTO's technical engagement?
Hiring well ensures that the right people are in the right roles, which minimizes the time spent on personnel issues and allows the CTO to focus on staying technical. Good hires can also share their expertise, helping the CTO learn faster than through self-study.
What operational issues should a CTO prioritize to maintain innovation?
A CTO should prioritize clearing bugs and managing backlog to prevent operational issues from consuming time and resources. By addressing these problems regularly, teams can focus on innovation and avoid becoming bogged down by technical debt.

Technologies & Tools

Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Version Control
Github
Used for reading commits, documentation, and understanding coding patterns.
Development Environment
Spin
A tool used at Shopify for cloud-based development environments.
Technology
Webassembly
A technology that Shopify is making a significant investment in.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Make reading a daily habit to stay updated on technical trends and practices.
Set aside time each day to read articles, books, or documentation related to your field. This will help you absorb new information quickly and maintain your technical edge.
2
Engage in coding as a hobby to keep your skills sharp and understand your team's tools better.
By coding on personal projects, you can explore new technologies and practices, which will enhance your credibility and understanding of the development process your team uses.
3
Participate in internal and external hackathons to foster innovation and collaboration.
Hackathons provide opportunities to work with diverse teams and explore new ideas, which can lead to valuable insights and improvements in your organization.
4
Focus on hiring well to build a strong technical team that can support your leadership.
Investing time in the hiring process ensures that you have skilled individuals who can contribute effectively, allowing you to spend more time on strategic initiatives.
5
Regularly manage operational issues to maintain a balance between innovation and technical debt.
By addressing bugs and backlogs proactively, you can free up your team's capacity for innovation and prevent operational problems from hindering progress.

Common Pitfalls

1
Rushing the hiring process can lead to poor team alignment and increased management burdens.
When leaders fill positions quickly without proper vetting, they often end up with team members who lack the necessary skills or alignment with organizational goals, which can detract from the leader's ability to focus on technical matters.