The CTO Playbook

Adam Horner
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The CTO Playbook

Join Adam Horner, a CTO with over 30 years in the tech industry, on The CTO Playbook — the podcast dedicated to helping CTOs excel. Perfect for CTOs and tech leaders navigating the complexities of their roles, each episode offers clear insights, innovative strategies, and practical advice from top leaders in tech. With Adam’s extensive experience mentoring engineers and tech leaders, and over a decade as a CTO, you’ll gain the tools and knowledge to build and refine your own CTO playbook. Whether you're tackling complex projects, fostering innovation, leading teams, or shaping your company's tech strategy, this podcast is your go-to resource. Adam’s journey from engineer to strategic CTO was challenging. He learned through the school of hard knocks, making avoidable mistakes and facing countless challenges. Often out of his comfort zone and wishing for more guidance, he created this podcast to provide the support and advice he once lacked. Tune in for engaging interviews, leadership tips, and the latest in technology strategy. Each episode is designed to help you lead with confidence and level up as a CTO. Listen now to start your journey with The CTO Playbook and build your own playbook to excel in your role.

  1. 10H AGO

    38: Why Cultural Transformation Fails (And How CTOs Can Get It Right) with Eric Johannsen

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Eric Johannsen is an engineering leader, author, and father of triplets who has helped lead multiple startups to successful exits. In this episode, you're going to learn what cultural transformation really means and why it matters, how to spot when company culture is blocking progress, how Eric won over skeptics during high-stakes mergers, how he overcame imposter syndrome early in his career, and the single biggest mistake he made during a transformation—plus what he learned from it. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:55] Finding balance between work and family [02:10] What is cultural transformation? [02:55] Misalignment between culture and strategic goals [04:05] Eric’s early experience with resistance to change [05:30] Imposter syndrome during Eric’s first job [06:50] Overcoming resistance through communication [07:55] Field trips to understand user problems [09:20] Improving communication at DOMA Financial [10:25] Building trust through consistency and safety [12:30] Admitting mistakes and building trust [13:35] Developing confidence [14:10] Early career mistakes in leadership [16:10] Integration of different work cultures [17:10] Challenges of post-merger cultural blending [19:00] Achieving success through cultural transformation [20:05] Creating a culture of empowerment and communication [22:15] Importance of humility and listening [24:00] Encouraging participation and transparency [25:55] Using metrics to show progress [27:45] Psychological safety and overcommunication [29:55] Managing risk without stifling creativity Learn more from Eric on his website and follow him on LinkedIn. Eric's Books The Gods We Make by Eric Johannsen | Book The Gods We Seek by Eric Johannsen | Book Ji-min by Eric Johannsen | Book Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube, and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    35 min

  2. MAR 31

    37: Scaling, Strategy & Survival: The CTO Playbook for Large Enterprises with Sarah Greasley

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Sarah Greasley is an IBM Distinguished Engineer turned CTO with over 40 years in tech, known for leading large-scale transformation projects at companies like IBM, Direct Line, and AWS. In this episode, you’ll learn how to lead complex tech projects without getting lost in details, make tough calls when short-term goals clash with long-term needs, and understand why managing technical debt is a leadership issue, not just an engineering one. Sarah shares practical ways to align thousands of people, how language, culture, and clarity impact success. Sarah was EMEA Director for Solution Architecture at AWS, leading a 1,300-person team, supporting over 612,000 customers, and driving AI, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. Before that, she was Group CTO at Direct Line Group, delivering tech strategy, architecture, and £100m+ programs, transforming the business for 5 million UK customers and doubling gender diversity in tech. Earlier, Sarah was IBM Technical Director and Distinguished Engineer, creating architectures for major financial services clients. Timestamps: [0:00] Introduction [03:30] Moving from IBM to Direct Line Group [05:10] The importance of purpose in career decisions [06:30] Handling complexity between program goals and enterprise needs [08:00] Leading with alignment in large organizations [09:45] Reading between the lines in communication [10:50] Different meanings of risk in insurance [12:00] Learning to ask better questions instead of having all the answers [13:30] Losing technical expertise and shifting to architectural thinking [15:00] Cloud migration challenges at Direct Line [16:30] Building scalable cloud solutions with performance testing [17:55] Moving away from legacy mainframes [18:50] Lessons from working on ATMs in the 1980s [20:00] Building future leaders and emotional intelligence in teams [21:30] Managing technical debt during high-stakes changes [23:00] Human capital and specialist knowledge in legacy systems [24:20] Aligning org structure with tech for adaptability [25:40] Using analogies to explain technical debt [27:10] The role of allies in building inclusive cultures [28:30] Subtle meeting dynamics and how to navigate them [29:50] Writing inclusive job specs that attract more women [31:10] The importance of visible female role models [32:20] Emotional intelligence as a leadership skill [33:40] Thinking beyond tech: money and the business view [35:00] Learning to let go and trust your team [36:20] Building consensus in large enterprises [37:40] The value of “disagree and commit” [40:40] Structural changes that enable diversity and inclusion [41:45] Leaving IBM after 33 years and embracing change [43:00] First three things to do as a new CTO [44:30] Owning your schedule and not apologizing for it Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Follow Sarah Greasley on LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: CTO Academy | Website Radical Candor by Kim Scott | Book or Audiobook Disagree & Commit by Justin Kuester | Kindle Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    49 min

  3. MAR 25

    36: The CTO’s Guide to Managing Large Engineering Teams Effectively

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs In this episode, you'll learn how to shift from one-on-one coaching to group leadership, how to reduce politics and knowledge gaps in large engineering teams, how to build a high-trust leadership environment, and how to implement an open-door policy for better team alignment. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction   [00:45] What leading leaders means   [01:30] Lessons from top CEOs on leadership   [02:15] Defining a small engineering organization   [03:00] Why politics emerge in growing teams   [03:45] The impact of trust and information gaps   [04:30] The challenge of repeating yourself as a leader   [05:15] Why large organizations create communication bottlenecks   [06:00] NVIDIA's leadership model with 60 direct reports   [06:45] How Airbnb’s CEO manages leadership without one-on-ones   [07:30] Group coaching vs individual coaching   [08:15] The benefits of shared leadership problem-solving   [09:00] How open feedback reduces internal politics   [09:45] Why peer support strengthens leadership teams   [10:30] Creating strong alignment among engineering leaders   [11:15] How shared context improves decision-making   [12:00] Why engineering leadership needs a structured approach   [12:45] The importance of experience in leadership roles   [13:30] How ad hoc one-on-ones still play a role   [14:15] Transitioning engineering leadership to a group model   [15:00] Why equalized voices improve engineering management   [15:45] Avoiding loudest voice domination in meetings   [16:30] Encouraging collaboration instead of top-down directives   [17:15] Setting up team-wide planning and retros   [18:00] Ensuring transparency in data and decision-making   [18:45] Teaching leaders how to think critically   [19:30] Preventing leadership silos with open discussions   [20:15] Helping new leaders adapt to group leadership   [21:00] Why weekly one-on-ones may still be necessary   [21:45] Balancing structured and flexible leadership approaches   [22:30] Implementing an open-door policy for transparency   [23:15] Why leadership alignment is critical for scaling   [24:00] Spotting and eliminating unchecked politics   [24:45] Supporting new leaders through mentorship   [25:30] Why strong engineering leadership improves team morale   [26:15] How to prevent groupthink in leadership teams   [27:00] Keeping leadership teams engaged and evolving   [27:45] Steps to successfully transition to a group coaching model Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    30 min

  4. MAR 18

    35: Why Scaling a Company Feels Impossible (And How to Do It Anyway) with Kevin Howren

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Kevin Howren is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at NPACT, where he has led major organizational changes, doubling the customer base and scaling SaaS assets under management from $50 billion to over $100 billion.  In this episode, you're going to learn why managing change is more about people than processes, how to overcome resistance and build trust in an organization, the key to keeping momentum during long-term transformations, how to make tough personnel decisions while maintaining morale, and why knowing when to stop making changes is just as important as knowing when to start. With over 25 years in technology, Kevin Howren has consistently driven transformative change through deep technical expertise and strategic vision. His career has been shaped by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams, turning complex challenges into opportunities for growth. He has led the post-acquisition transformation of NPACT, guiding engineering, product, AI, and infrastructure teams to achieve remarkable results. This includes doubling the customer base and increasing SaaS assets under management from $50 billion to $100 billion. His approach has always been centered on aligning technology and business strategies, ensuring that every decision supports long-term growth and sustainability. Whether modernizing the technology stack, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration, or mentoring senior leaders, his focus remains on driving continuous improvement and delivering value to the organization and its customers. Before NPACT, he served as Head of Client Technologies at BBC Systems, where he oversaw the development and transitioning of key products and technology infrastructure, managing UI/UX engineering and product teams to enhance user experience and streamline operations. One of his key achievements was reducing production rollbacks by 78% through implementing innovative development processes and adopting modern technologies. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [02:10] Doubling the customer base and scaling SaaS assets [03:15] The biggest challenge in change management [04:02] Why small wins matter more than big changes [05:20] Keeping momentum during long-term projects [06:18] Handling unexpected challenges in transformation [07:30] The role of people in organizational change [08:45] Managing resistance and trust in leadership [09:50] How to navigate layoffs and team restructuring [11:05] The importance of redeploying talent [12:30] Avoiding morale issues during transitions [13:45] Why rushing changes can backfire [14:55] Balancing process, technology, and people changes [16:02] The impact of company culture on change [17:15] Why some changes fail despite careful planning [18:30] How to prioritize changes effectively [19:45] Building trust through early wins [20:55] Involving teams without slowing decisions [22:10] The importance of leadership accountability [23:20] Predicting how change will unfold [24:35] Why honesty about difficulties builds trust [25:45] Learning from failures and moving forward [26:58] Recognizing signs of change fatigue [28:05] How to slow down change to prevent burnout [29:15] Making change stick before introducing new changes [30:25] Celebrating wins to reinforce progress [31:40] Avoiding unnecessary changes [32:50] Recognizing when it’s time to stop making changes [34:05] How company culture shapes change success [35:20] The role of communication in keeping teams engaged Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Follow Kevin on LinkedIn. Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    38 min

  5. MAR 11

    34: The Five CTO Archetypes: Which One Are You?

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!   In this episode, you'll learn what CTO coaching is, who it’s for, the impact it can have, and how to find the right coach for your goals. Adam Horner shares common CTO challenges, the skills needed to succeed at the executive level, and a framework for accelerating leadership growth. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction   [02:10] Common struggles CTOs face   [03:45] How coaching provides clarity and accountability   [05:00] My own CTO journey and early challenges   [06:30] The impact of not having a coach   [08:15] Five common CTO archetypes   [08:30] The firefighter CTO   [09:50] The senior developer turned CTO   [11:00] The seasoned technologist ready to lead   [12:20] The plateaued CTO   [13:30] The rocket ship CTO   [15:00] The challenge of getting stuck in execution   [16:20] Story of a CTO who shifted from feature delivery to strategic leadership   [18:00] What makes my coaching different   [19:45] The CTO maturity model   [21:00] Skills that CTOs often lack compared to other executives   [22:30] The importance of communication, finance, and strategy   [24:00] Coaching vs. teaching vs. mentoring   [25:30] The real cost of not investing in coaching   [27:00] Story of a CTO who resisted coaching and almost lost his role   [29:30] What happens when CTOs invest in coaching   [30:45] How coaching builds confidence and influence   [32:00] The impact of coaching on stress and burnout   [33:15] How to know if coaching is right for you   [34:30] When is the best time to get a coach   [35:45] How to find the right CTO coach   [36:30] Step-by-step playbook for choosing a coach   Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    42 min

  6. MAR 4

    33: The Fractional CTO Formula for Success with Dan Gwalter

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!  Dan Gwalter is a fractional consultant and former IT director who helps businesses navigate growth challenges. In this episode, you're going to learn why Dan left a high-paying corporate job to build a career he actually enjoys, how to craft a strong personal brand on LinkedIn that attracts clients, why conversations—not sales pitches—are the key to building a thriving consulting business, the simple process Dan uses to keep a steady stream of clients without stress, and how he balances work and life while making a great living. Dan Gwalter has been running a successful Fractional Consulting business for over a decade, helping professionals break free from traditional career constraints. With a focus on creating stability and maximizing flexibility, he has built a model that allows consultants to get paid for the value they create rather than just the hours they work. Through The Fractional Formula, Dan provides structured guidance for those looking to transition into fractional consulting. His program includes seven weeks of live training in small groups, unlimited one-on-one coaching, and a full year of ongoing mentoring and support. Many participants have landed their first clients within weeks, proving that a well-executed strategy can lead to rapid success. Dan’s approach is built on practical experience, offering a clear path for professionals who want to move from day-rate contracting to managing a portfolio of high-value clients. His expertise helps others design careers that prioritize both financial security and personal freedom. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [03:04] The pressure of chasing prestige and power [04:48] Experiencing the downside of an IPO [06:25] Walking away from a high-paying job [07:58] The challenges of starting as a consultant [09:41] Dealing with inconsistent income [11:12] The mistake of relying only on referrals [12:35] Why networking isn’t about selling [13:52] How asking the right questions leads to opportunities [15:04] The power of building a reputation [16:20] Why job security is a myth [17:41] The importance of a clear niche [19:03] How to structure a LinkedIn profile for consulting [20:15] The biggest mistake consultants make on LinkedIn [21:42] How to write a LinkedIn profile that attracts clients [23:16] Why storytelling is key to standing out [24:40] How to get into high-value conversations [25:52] Why most LinkedIn content fails [27:04] The key to writing content that brings clients [28:36] The simple way to generate inbound leads [30:02] Why selling isn’t about pitching [31:14] How to start sales conversations naturally [32:45] The importance of solving problems upfront [34:12] The best way to structure a sales call [35:25] How to stay top-of-mind with potential clients [37:02] Why continuous business development is essential [38:36] How to balance client work and marketing [39:58] The danger of relying on just a few clients [41:20] How to avoid feast and famine cycles [42:45] Why consulting is about relationships, not transactions [44:12] The mindset shift that leads to long-term success [45:30] Why most consultants undercharge for their expertise [47:04] The power of saying no to the wrong clients [48:20] How Dan built a business that fits his lifestyle [50:02] What a work-life blend looks like in practice Kickstart your fractional career in 30 minutes with Dan’s No-Nonsense Leadership. Follow Dan on LinkedIn. Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    1 hr

  7. FEB 25

    32: How to Run 1:1s That Actually Improve Performance

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! In this episode, you'll learn how to structure effective one-on-one meetings with engineers, how to maintain alignment between individual performance and company goals, how to use a rolling agenda for tracking progress, and how to transition from weekly check-ins to quarterly and annual reviews seamlessly. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:38] Importance of one-on-one meetings for engineers [01:22] How often should you meet with individual contributors [02:14] Weekly vs. biweekly or monthly meetings [03:06] Why weekly meetings maintain momentum [04:02] When to adjust meeting frequency [04:48] Balancing meeting length and effectiveness [05:32] What to cover in one-on-one meetings [06:20] The role of trust and rapport in leadership [07:05] How to start meetings with open-ended questions [07:52] Why listening is a key leadership skill [08:36] Avoiding status updates in one-on-ones [09:20] Helping engineers improve communication skills [10:02] Teaching engineers how to listen effectively [10:48] Steering conversations toward personal growth [11:36] How to shift focus from output to experience [12:24] Using silence to encourage deeper responses [13:10] The importance of writing things down [14:00] How to structure a rolling agenda document [14:46] Benefits of an open agenda for tracking topics [15:30] Using action items to track progress [16:14] How a personal development plan fits in [17:02] Why mission statements help guide career growth [17:48] Real examples of how writing things down improves performance [19:20] Using notes to build confidence in employees [20:10] Preparing for performance improvement plans [20:58] How to guide conversations in one-on-ones [21:42] Understanding different learning styles [22:28] The VARK model: visual, auditory, read/write, kinesthetic [23:12] Adapting coaching based on learning style [24:02] Asking the right questions for better engagement [24:50] How different learning styles impact communication [25:36] Structuring quarterly reviews for performance tracking [26:22] How to align quarterly reviews with company goals [27:10] The four key sections of a quarterly review [27:56] Why quarterly reviews remove surprises in evaluations [28:44] Rolling up quarterly insights into annual reviews [29:30] Making promotions and salary adjustments smoother [30:18] Five key takeaways for leading individual contributors Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    33 min

  8. FEB 18

    31: The Fatal Flaw of 10x Developers (Here’s What Actually Matters)

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Matt Watson is the CEO of FullScale and previously bootstrapped an SaaS company to $35 million ARR before a $150 million exit. In this episode, you're going to learn what skills CTOs need to become CEOs, why understanding sales and marketing is crucial for tech leaders, how to delegate effectively to focus on big-picture strategy, why communication and collaboration are key to scaling engineering teams, and what AI’s role is in shaping the future of software development. Matt Watson is the founder and former CTO of one of the early SaaS companies, VinSolutions, which he bootstrapped in 2003 to $35 million ARR before a $150 million exit in 2011. In 2018, he founded FullScale to help himself and others scale their teams with talent from the Philippines at 70% less cost. He also hosts the Product Driven podcast and writes a weekly newsletter about the gap between business and software engineering. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:30] Starting a company by solving a real problem [07:15] Bootstrapping an SaaS business to $35 million ARR [08:40] Challenges of building a product without a playbook [10:20] Different types of CTO roles [11:50] Why startup CTOs need a product mindset [13:05] The natural transition from CTO to CEO [14:30] What makes a good CTO [15:40] The importance of sales and marketing for CTOs [17:00] Selling to developers is harder than it seems [18:30] Why engineers struggle with delegation [19:50] The real reason 10x developers exist [21:10] How bureaucracy slows down engineering [22:35] Why startups move faster than big companies [24:00] Software corrosion and how products degrade over time [25:30] Why big companies struggle with innovation [27:00] The hidden cost of maintaining legacy software [28:40] Teaching the next generation of developers [30:20] The impact of AI on software development [31:50] How AI is changing the role of engineers [33:15] AI adoption rates among software developers [34:50] Why junior developers benefit most from AI [36:10] The balance between using AI and learning fundamentals [37:45] Why developers need to improve communication skills [39:00] The key to becoming a successful CTO [40:30] Why being the best known is more important than being the best Offshore your tech team with the talented engineers at FullScale. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn. Resources Mentioned: Product Driven Podcast with Matt Watson | Spotify or Apple VinSolutions | Website Stackify | Website GitHub Copilot | Website Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    44 min
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    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    3 Ratings

    About

    Join Adam Horner, a CTO with over 30 years in the tech industry, on The CTO Playbook — the podcast dedicated to helping CTOs excel. Perfect for CTOs and tech leaders navigating the complexities of their roles, each episode offers clear insights, innovative strategies, and practical advice from top leaders in tech. With Adam’s extensive experience mentoring engineers and tech leaders, and over a decade as a CTO, you’ll gain the tools and knowledge to build and refine your own CTO playbook. Whether you're tackling complex projects, fostering innovation, leading teams, or shaping your company's tech strategy, this podcast is your go-to resource. Adam’s journey from engineer to strategic CTO was challenging. He learned through the school of hard knocks, making avoidable mistakes and facing countless challenges. Often out of his comfort zone and wishing for more guidance, he created this podcast to provide the support and advice he once lacked. Tune in for engaging interviews, leadership tips, and the latest in technology strategy. Each episode is designed to help you lead with confidence and level up as a CTO. Listen now to start your journey with The CTO Playbook and build your own playbook to excel in your role.

    Information

    • Creator
      Adam Horner
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      38
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2024-2025
    • Show Website
      The CTO Playbook

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