The Executive Brief
This week’s topic is personal to me because not only have I lived it, but I’ve counseled others who were making the transition to the Executive Suite. If you’re on that path, read on and take heart. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is not a train.
Probably.
Without further ado, here’s the interesting bits from the last week.
According to Microsoft VP Brad Smith, “We're currently witnessing a rapid expansion in the abuse of these new AI tools by bad actors including through deepfakes based on AI-generated video, audio, and images.” It might be time to take a look at the security awareness training for your employees.
In a related story, multiple outlets are reporting that a Hong Kong firm lost HK$200 million (US$25.6 million) to a deepfake scammer. Our Magic 8 Ball says this will happening again. And again. And again.
Mozilla, Instacart, and Cisco all announced layoffs last week. “Refocusing” and “efficiencies” continue to be featured prominently in the press releases as layoffs continue into 2024.
Making the Leap To CTO
Making the leap to CTO can be incredibly difficult. Heck, making the leap to any executive position can be really tough. But for many aspiring CTOs that “last mile” can be really, really challenging.
It always seems like there is one final penance to pay before you “get called up to the majors,” so to speak.
Here’s what I’ve seen happen with lots of VPs just before they became CTO.
Failed on a project in some spectacular way and then had to fix it
Managed through a massive business pivot
Had to deal with a major RIF
Experienced a key partner bailing out of a consequential project
Went through a substantial personal issue effecting their work performance
It’s almost as if the powers-that-be want to see how you do in a seriously challenging situation before they give you the go-ahead.
Or, maybe the top stakeholders just like promoting people who rise to the occasion.
I would encourage any aspirational CTO to tackle their “last mile” challenge head on and see it through to the end…because it will come. I’ve seen way too many who’ve given up too early and if they had just stuck it out they would’ve most likely gotten the top spot.
The ones who succeeded seem to have these qualities in common:
They stay positive in the face of overwhelming chaos and risk
They stay humble
They don’t get upset at unreasonable demands on them or their teams
They realize they have to change personally, and take steps to do so
They use data to help them tell their story
They are good at making alliances
They work extra-hard
If your journey is like many other aspirational CTOs then you’re probably going to have to implement at least some of the above things if you want to make the leap.
It’s certainly not for the faint-of-heart to have the entire “tech” side of the company in your hands, especially nowadays when the whole world is moving towards technology at a furious pace.
Just look at the spectrum of things a CTO has to be good at: you’ve got to be the AI-person. You’ve also got to know about the company’s legacy phone system. You’ve got to know all the details of the SaaS product(s). You’ve got to know the software architecture. You’ve got to know the Cloud / infrastructure side. You have to be good at managing engineers, the DevOps folks, Test Automation developers…the list of areas to be fluent in feels nearly endless.
So, yeah, it’s no wonder that it’s tough to make the leap to CTO. But for those who persevere through the most difficult “last mile” challenges the road to opportunity really does open up.
And once you’re there…the sky is truly the limit. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to implement many of those fantastic ideas you’ve been dreaming of your entire career. You’ll also have a seat at the most important table in the company and so your influence will expand.
But you’ll likely have to go through the crucible first.
Here are some other articles from Technocratic that you may enjoy as well: