Introduction to my journey: From developer to CTO at a startup

Transitioning from a developer to a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and startup founder is a path filled with challenges, learning, and immense growth. It's a journey that many in the tech industry aspire to undertake, yet it requires more than just technical expertise. This article aims to highlight the key challenges and lessons learned from those who have successfully navigated this transition, along with my personal experiences to provide additional insights and context.

The initial steps: Recognizing the need for leadership

The first step in transitioning from a developer to a CTO is recognizing the need for leadership and the willingness to step into that role. As a developer, your primary focus is on coding, problem-solving, and implementing features. However, the CTO role demands a broader perspective, focusing on aligning technology with business goals, managing teams, and strategic planning.

If I look at Trrue, in the very beginning I was only CTO in name, and this is very common with early-stage startups. There is no money yet to hire a development team, and the developer-CTO's main task is to create an MVP as soon as possible so that there's something to show to investors. However, it will change, so use this time wisely to also prepare for the non-technical tasks that are waiting for you.

Developing a strategic vision

One of the key responsibilities of a CTO is to develop and communicate a strategic vision for the company's technology landscape. This involves understanding market trends, customer needs, and how technology can provide a competitive edge.

I would say that the most important lesson is not to think that you know what your client wants. There might be a great idea on the table, but don't be too stubborn about it. Instead, be willing to amend the idea and implementation to meet the needs of clients. For this reason, I can only encourage releasing software as soon as possible and starting testing with potential clients, even if the software still contains many bugs. The goal of the exercise is to test functionality and whether you're actually solving things for clients.

Lessons from others:

• Drew Houston (Dropbox): Houston emphasized the importance of aligning the technology roadmap with the company's mission and customer needs. He learned to balance long-term vision with short-term goals.

• Susan Wojcicki (YouTube): Wojcicki highlighted the need for constant innovation and adapting to changes in the tech landscape. She stresses the importance of being open to new ideas and pivoting when necessary.

Building and leading teams

Transitioning to a CTO role means shifting from individual contributions to leading and inspiring teams. Effective team leadership involves recruiting the right talent, fostering a collaborative environment, and providing guidance and mentorship.

Trrue is now at the point that it will start hiring developers very soon. Reaching this point took a lot of preparation, particularly because we took our time to discover the right technology stack in combination with how our product's architecture changed due to experiences with our MVP and further market research. I have written an earlier article about how I came to Trrue's earlier technology stack, which you can reach here: https://arjanvaneersel.hashnode.dev/selecting-the-right-technology-stack-a-journey-from-mvp-to-production

One important conclusion from my previous article is that picking a technology stack also includes the availability of the developers we need, as well as being willing to train developers from other languages to adapt to less common languages. The biggest part of our backend is written in the Rust programming language, and finding good Rust developers, especially those who also know Polkadot's Substrate, is a challenge.

Lessons from others:

• Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX): Musk is known for his hands-on approach and high standards. He believes in hiring talented individuals who are passionate about their work and pushing them to achieve their best.

• Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook): Sandberg advocates for strong communication and building a culture of trust and respect. She emphasizes the importance of listening to team members and valuing their input.

Managing the transition from developer to leader

For many developers, the transition to a leadership role can be daunting. It involves stepping out of your comfort zone, developing new skills, and embracing a different mindset.

I can say that my previous experience as a consultant in the corporate services sector has helped me focus on strategic decision-making and team management. Nevertheless, I did go through a few business and management courses to freshen up knowledge and fill in any gaps. As a big proponent of lifelong learning, I will continue to improve my knowledge and learn new skills, because there will always be room for improvement.

I also had the honor of participating in the Berkeley cohort of the Polkadot Blockchain Academy in 2023. The PBA offered a founder and developer track, I went for the developer track. Perhaps that sounds contradictory to what I've written so far about transitioning to management tasks, but I found it very important to really understand the process of developing on Substrate. Doing the developer track really helped me with my task of composing the development team. Additionally, the Polkadot Blockchain Academy is a versatile program, and even the developer track goes way beyond just development. It also teaches topics like governance and blockchain economics, which are crucial pillars of any blockchain-based architecture. The knowledge gained at the PBA has therefore helped me tremendously to finalize TrrueChain's architecture.

Lessons from others:

• Marissa Mayer (Yahoo!): Mayer spoke about the challenges of shifting from a technical role to a managerial position. She learned to delegate effectively and trust her team to handle the technical details.

• Satya Nadella (Microsoft): Nadella's journey emphasized the importance of continuous learning and personal growth. He adopted a growth mindset and encouraged his team to do the same.

Balancing technical expertise with business acumen

A successful CTO must balance technical expertise with business acumen. This involves understanding the financial implications of technology decisions, working closely with other departments, and contributing to overall business strategy.

I took the initiative to learn more about business operations and finance. This helped me make informed decisions that aligned with both our technological capabilities and business goals. Trrue is a regulated company, so it's also important to understand where the functionality of our product will be affected by regulations. The software that our development team produces will have to comply with these regulatory requirements, and the development processes must be ready for regulatory changes. Additionally, being regulated increases scrutiny on the reliability of the software.

Lessons from others:

• Jeff Lawson (Twilio): Lawson emphasized the importance of understanding both technology and business. He learned to speak the language of both engineers and executives, bridging the gap between the two.

• Ginni Rometty (IBM): Rometty highlighted the need for a deep understanding of the market and the ability to make strategic decisions that drive business growth.

Embracing continuous learning and adaptability

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and a successful CTO must embrace continuous learning and adaptability. Staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices is crucial.

I am very committed to continuous learning. Although I'm very picky about conferences, I do attend industry conferences, participate in webinars, and read extensively about emerging technologies and business strategies.

Lessons from others:

• Bill Gates (Microsoft): Gates is known for his lifelong learning approach. He dedicates time to reading and staying informed about various fields, which helps him stay ahead in the tech industry.

• Jack Dorsey (Twitter, Square): Dorsey emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and open to change. He believes in iterating and improving constantly.

Conclusion

The journey from developer to CTO and entrepreneur is challenging but immensely rewarding. It requires a shift in mindset, the development of new skills, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. By studying the experiences of successful tech leaders and integrating these lessons with your own experiences, you can navigate this transition effectively and lead your team to new heights.

Let's connect

If you're a developer aspiring to move into a leadership role, start by setting clear goals, building your leadership skills, and embracing continuous learning. And remember, the journey is as important as the destination.

I hope my story and the lessons shared here inspire you to take the leap and pursue your own path to leadership. Feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts or experiences.