The CTO Playbook

Adam Horner
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 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. 4 DAYS AGO

    16: How to Build an Engineering Strategy that Scales Without Wasting Resources

    In this episode, Adam talks about how to create a strong engineering strategy and prioritize creating roadmaps that align with company goals while effectively communicating your strategy to the entire team. Timestamps: [02:19] Aligning the engineering strategy with company goals   [06:00] Creating a roadmap for the engineering strategy [13:40] Building a process roadmap   [24:03] Prioritizing and executing the engineering strategy  Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    31 min

  2. OCT 29

    15: The Hidden Threats Facing Product And Tech Leaders with Todd Zino

    In this episode, Adam and Todd talk about why tech and product leaders need to expand their roles in today's market, why many startups struggle with tech debt and product debt, how AI is reshaping the responsibilities of engineers and CTOs, what the future holds for fractional CTO roles, and what Todd thinks about the shifting demands on tech leaders and the future of the CTO role. Todd is an experienced CPTO now doing fractional work, startup advisory, and working on his own SaaS platform. Todd offers consulting services for businesses seeking responsible growth and transformation. He is also working on a customer data platform that will unlock the true potential of AI and CRM in the new technology landscape. Timestamps: [06:19] The challenges of scaling tech teams during hypergrowth   [12:09] Why smaller teams can achieve more with the right structure    [24:18] How fractional roles fit into today’s tech leadership landscape [27:10] The evolution of the CTO role and what’s next for leaders   [37:10] The future of no-code and low-code tools  [41:53] The importance of financial training for tech leaders   [45:35] Predictions for the role of CTOs over the next decade Connect with Todd on LinkedIn.  Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    52 min

  3. OCT 21

    14: Blueprint for Growing Global, Remote-First Engineering Teams with Magnus Lenngren

    Magnus Lenngren is an engineering leader and a three-time unicorn builder. In this episode, you'll find out how to scale remote-first engineering teams effectively, the key challenges leaders face when growing teams quickly, the biggest mistakes to avoid during hypergrowth, why strong company culture is critical in scaling, and how to keep employees engaged and productive in a remote setting. Magnus is an experienced CTO and Director of Engineering, skilled at scaling engineering teams, especially in Fintech, with experience at Collector Bank, Klarna, and now Mews among others. Magnus is also an investor, having led Collector’s corporate venture capital division. Magnus is currently focused on scaling Mews’ remote engineering teams. Timestamps: [11:05] How to scale remote teams effectively   [16:28] Benefits of building a remote-first team   [22:13] Providing co-working spaces for remote employees   [35:17] Using new hires for onboarding other employees   [41:05] Applying the Conway/Yawnoc strategy to reshape teams   [46:22] Mistakes leaders make when scaling fast   [51:03] Focusing on continuous improvement over fixed metrics   [57:13] Balancing efficiency with hyper-growth challenges Connect with Magnus on LinkedIn. Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    1h 2m

  4. OCT 14

    13: How To Network and Build Powerful Connections with Zoe Cunningham

    Zoe Cunningham is a director at Softwire and author of Networking Know-How. In this episode, you will learn what most people get wrong about networking and why it’s so misunderstood. Zoe talks about simple ways to build genuine connections without feeling awkward, how introverts can excel at networking with the right approach, how to prepare for networking events to make them more enjoyable, and why investing in networking now pays off in the long run. Zoe Cunningham is an award-winning technology professional and currently a Director of Softwire Technology, voted the #1 Best Place to Work in the UK 2023. She won Business Leader of the Year at the UK Women in IT Awards 2019 and has been selected by the BBC as the Brightest Woman in Britain.  Zoe has published three books, including "Networking Know-How" the tech leaders’ handbook for building a network and extending their professional reach. Timestamps: [05:09] Why networking is often misunderstood   [07:59] How to build genuine one-on-one connections   [10:33] Why networking is crucial for career growth   [13:54] Misconceptions about elevator pitches   [16:41] How to make networking less transactional   [24:06] Tips for boosting confidence at networking events   [27:22] Easy phrases to break the ice during networking Check out Zoe’s book “Networking Know-How” and find her on LinkedIn. Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! Resources Mentioned: CTO Craft | Website Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    46 min

  5. OCT 12

    12: Upgrade Your Bitcoin Knowledge (2024 Edition) with Adem Bilican

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs! In this episode, Adam interviews Adem Bilican, the CTO at Relai, the App, about Bitcoin's value and its potential as a global currency. Adem discusses the technological advancements in Bitcoin, such as the Lightning Network, and offers insights into overcoming barriers to adoption. Adem Bilican, is the co-founder and CTO at Relai, Europe's number one Bitcoin app. We provide an app for your mobile phone that users can use to easily buy and sell Bitcoin while keeping full ownership. Timestamps: 6:15 Improving mobile wallets to boost Bitcoin user adoption. 20:50 Using renewable energy for more efficient Bitcoin mining. 25:35 Leveraging Bitcoin’s capped supply to increase long-term value. 29:10 Introducing the Lightning Network for instant Bitcoin transactions at zero cost. 38:30 Ensuring user control with self-custodial wallets in the Relai app. 44:50 Securing your Bitcoin wallet with reliable backup and restore options. Get the Relai App to help you buy and manage your Bitcoin and follow Adem on X. Resources Mentioned: Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos | Book or Audiobook Mastering the Lightning Network by Andreas Antonopoulos | Book Bitcoin Nashville | Website Plan B Forum in Switzerland (Oct 2024) | Website Bitaxe Mining Device | Website Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    53 min

  6. SEP 30

    11: The Parable of the Firefighter CTO

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a great CTO! In this episode, Adam discusses how CTOs can transition from firefighting to strategic leadership by following a structured, disciplined approach. Timestamps: 5:19 Create time blocks for strategic work to avoid constant firefighting. 9:51 Build trust by empowering your team through delegation. 16:07 Focus on documenting why and how, not just what, to improve processes. 23:38 Block off time for your top priority and protect it fiercely. Resources Mentioned: Michael Lopp | LinkedIn Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    26 min

  7. SEP 23

    10: The Five S's for Delivering Technical Presentations with Dipak Mistry

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a great CTO. In this episode, Adam interviews Dipak Mistry, a senior architect with 25 years of experience. Dipak shares his structured approach to presentations, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, conflict and resolution, and a clear narrative to make technical information more relatable and engaging. Dipak Mistry helps small, medium and corporates business's grow and become efficiently sustainable by aiming to deliver value and achieve each business's mission. Dipak delivers a Technology Presentation Training Program that helps IT Professionals elevate their careers and in turn give great presentations that is specialized for different audiences. Timestamps: 5:27 Know your audience to tailor the presentation effectively. 13:04 Build presentations with consistency for easier decision-making. 19:51 Focus on the key objective of the presentation to avoid distractions. 27:39 Use a structured framework to create clear and impactful presentations. 33:12 Get pre-approval from stakeholders to streamline decision-making. Visit the Unity Edge Website and follow Dipak on LinkedIn. Resources Mentioned: The Golden Circle by Simon Sinek | Ted Talk Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    45 min

  8. SEP 16

    9: How Being a Friendly Leader Could Be Stifling Your Innovation with Carol Palombini

    Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a leader! In this episode, Adam interviews Carol Palombini, a psychologist and leadership coach specializing in psychological safety. Carol offers insights on how fostering psychological safety can drive team innovation and what leaders can do to create safe, effective work environments. Carol Palombini is a seasoned Psychologist and Tech Leadership Coach. Her passion lies in being a catalyst for transformation among tech leaders who face challenges such as communication issues, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the intricate demands of tech leadership roles. Timestamps: 3:30 Assessing for a team's psychological safety. 8:06 Foster healthy conflict for innovation and team growth. 15:30 Create a psychologically safe environment by managing emotions. 19:08 Conduct exit interviews to uncover reasons for talent loss. 29:02 Reward and recognize behaviours that foster psychological safety. Build your dream team with personalized solutions that actually get results. Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Carol. Also, be sure to follow Carol on LinkedIn. Resources Mentioned: re:Work With Google | Archived Website Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024
  • Show Website
    The CTO Playbook

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