Retrospectively

Sebastian's thoughts on start-ups, management, tech.

A man lying in bed at 4:00 AM with wide eyes, surrounded by colorful retro wall art and an alarm clock displaying ‘4:00 AM,’ illustrating sleepless early mornings.

Hearing from friends and customers, it's clear: the 4 AM Club's expansion, particularly in tech and startups, echoes my own battles with sleepless nights, underscoring a pervasive work culture issue.

Iceberg with a small ship sailing on the water surface and a massive submerged ice formation below, illustrating hidden challenges.

Our hire of a misaligned C-level executive led to divisive tactics and undermined team dynamics, revealing the "Iceberg of Ignorance" where leadership was last to see underlying issues, impacting trust and operational efficiency amidst growth.

Silhouette of a person’s profile with a triangular prism at the head refracting a beam of light into a rainbow, symbolizing the transformation from individual contributor to manager

Transition into leadership with authenticity, decision-making, and team empowerment. Embrace humility, continuous improvement, and genuine connections for effective management.

Close-up of a compass pointing northeast, symbolizing guidance through the minefield of OKRs.

Why do OKRs clash in startups? How do OKRs conflict with Agile methodologies? What are common contradictory OKRs in startups? How can startups navigate OKR challenges?.

Man working on a laptop while seated beside a campervan in a forest, illustrating the nomadic CTO lifestyle.

Join me on my unique journey from a high-flying CTO to a nomadic 'slowmad,' embracing life's adventures and challenges in a camper, while reshaping my career and personal philosophy.

Business professional addressing a group of retro-styled office workers, highlighting the role of a project manager

Is your project manager really your boss? This article challenges conventional team dynamics, questioning the roles of project managers and developers in modern tech environments.

Yin-yang illustration with two traditional dancers, representing balanced decision-making in hiring.

Understand the importance of strategic, phased leadership development in tech startups, and learn why a single visionary CTO can be the key to cohesive, effective team building and long-term success.

Heroic engineer surrounded by coding screens and tools, conveying the concept of gaining full ownership.

Explore the journey towards a bigger picture for your company and the pursuit of full ownership of your product.

Einstein-like figure brainstorming with cavemen around a stone table, illustrating collaboration over individual brilliance.

Stop Being the Smartest Person in the Room. Learn why empowering your team, reducing the bus factor, and fostering product ownership can transform your tech leadership and create a more dynamic, innovative team.

Medieval king knighting a kneeling figure in a grand hall, symbolizing developers deferring to authority.

Does your team have submissive developers? Learn to identify signs like lack of assertiveness and dependence on direction. Discover how to foster open communication and encourage initiative. Transform past experiences into growth.

Split scene showing a stressed manager at a cluttered desk versus a focused creator coding at a clean workspace.

Imagine this: I'm in the zone, coding away, when suddenly our CEO, the epitome of a 'manager,' decides it's the perfect time for an impromptu strategy chat. There I was, disrupted as abruptly as a cat at a dog show.

Corporate boardroom with a team meeting on one side and a holographic digital avatar on the glass wall, illustrating hidden data.

Navigate the tricky waters of corporate transparency in tech. Learn when less is more and how to strategically communicate with the non-tech world.

Cartoon-style office presentation comparing fractional CTO metrics on one board with coaching strategies on another.

Discover why comparing a fractional CTO to a CTO coach isn't as odd as it seems. Dive into how each uniquely shapes tech leadership, balancing operational needs with personal growth.

Retro-styled team of developers posing confidently in front of vintage computers, representing great software craftsmanship.

Dive into my article where I reveal how 'average' engineers can build great software. Discover the power of clear vision, teamwork, and continuous improvement in transforming any team into a tech powerhouse.

Man at a desk covering his face with both hands in frustration.

Why did I fire myself? Well, building a startup from 3 to 150 people had been a fun challenge, but it took over most parts of my life. As the CTO, I was capable of dealing with technological challenges, but I was ill-prepared for company politics.

Man holding an alarm clock with a surprised expression, symbolizing time wasted in meetings.

As a CTO or developer, you know this all too well. You have better things to do than sit in a conference room for hours on end, listening to people talk about things that have nothing to do with you or your work.

A hand placing office items into a cardboard box, representing someone being fired.

As a manager, you mostly sit at the other side of the table. Firing is generally tough as you will have to acknowledge that you have failed. Yes, you read it correctly: you, the manager, are responsible for the failure this outcome represents.

Person on a video conference call onscreen with four colleagues, illustrating remote-first work.

I was once in talks with a company about a position and we got quite far in our negotiations. At a certain point, I asked if the company was either remote-first or office-first.

Let’s talk. One call. Zero fluff.

Contact Information
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.