Retrospectively

A bigger customer has SOC 2 and you do not. They do not need you to be audited. They need a vendor file their own auditor can sample. Here is what to hand over.

A customer contract says SOC 2 and you have four people, no security officer and no compliance tool. Here is what to do first, and what not to fake.

Sometimes an LLM can save you an extremity. But you will have to do some work of your own and do yourself a favor by being a critical thinker. This will set you up for success.

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.

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.

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

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?.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.