Find Common Ground
“You can’t fit a square peg into a round hole” is often an accurate comparison of CEOs and CTOs. The two tend to hail from entirely different planets when it comes to their thought processes, social circles, and communication styles.
Instead of forcing an awkward merger of worlds or — worse — retreating to your corners and not facing your differences, try a different tact: Take a detour from the boardroom.
Grab a meal, meet for a drink, or bond over a match of pickleball. You might discover you have some common ground. Besides, who can deny that pickleball is an effective means of diplomacy?
Harness the Power of Alignment
A harmonious CEO-CTO partnership absolutely requires alignment. Full stop.
It is on the CEO to make sure that the CTO and tech team know and understand the company’s business goals for the next month, quarter, and year. It is on the CTO to ensure their team’s plans match those objectives.
Even better than telling people about goals is involving them from the start. When the CEO and CTO work together to craft strategy, a shared vision emerges, and their alignment is secured. Like a well-choreographed dance routine, this approach ensures that everyone moves in sync.
“In business, as in dance, it’s all about finding the right rhythm.” — Tech Guru
Build Trust, Brick by Brick
For CEOs, unless you have magical super powers, you can’t be an expert in all things technical, nor does anyone expect you to be. You need to trust and empower your tech leader — this is why you hired them in the first place.
If you doubt your CTO’s dedication or the accuracy of their estimates, don’t be passive-aggressive or try to micromanage your way through it. That is a surefire way to step on each other’s toes.
If trust remains elusive, bring in an impartial third party to validate or alleviate your concerns. And remember, like the tango, it takes two to trust: You must earn your CTO’s trust as well.
“In tech, trust is the currency that buys you innovation.” — Tech Visionary
Stay the Course
Yes, you need to be agile, respond to customer needs, and pivot when necessary. But don’t confuse agility with a never-ending tap dance.
Building software is like constructing a house — shifting the room layout midway will result in costly foundation changes. Continuous alterations lead to diminished productivity, demoralized teams, and a rickety tech platform.
Ironically, this is when a CEO might start questioning their CTO’s abilities. It is imperative that you lean into the trust mentioned above and remain confident to stay on course.
“Building a tech product is like building a sandcastle — too many waves of change, and it crumbles.” — Tech Sage
Let Sphere Be Your Dance Instructor
At Sphere, we’re more than tech executives and consultants. We’re your partners in the CEO-CTO tango. We specialize in bridging the gap between key tech leaders and ensuring that they remain in lockstep.
Whether it’s coaching CEOs, mentoring CTOs, or stepping in as the lead of your tech team when you sense things may go haywire, Sphere is here to ensure your product development and technology are always in sync with your vision.
In the world of tech, communication is the cha-cha of success. So grab your tech partner, and let’s dance our way to a brighter tech future together.
“At Sphere, we make sure your CEO and CTO are the Fred and Ginger of the tech world: elegant, synchronized, and utterly fabulous.” — Sphere’s Tech Maestro
