Shows
The CTO Playbook40: Mastering the Art of Influence: How to Get Executive Buy-In for Your Big IdeasJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!In this episode, you'll learn how to win support for a tough proposal, avoid getting blindsided in meetings, use informal conversations to map your allies and blockers, and turn neutral teammates into advocates.Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [01:04] A failed pitch story and key lesson [02:18] The importance of having a playbook [02:55] Why great ideas get shot down [03:12] Stage 1: Test the waters [04:40] How early insights shape your p...
2025-04-2222 min
Evolution Exchange UKEvo UK #136 - Becoming CTO - Navigating The JourneyIn this episode, James Dyson is joined by Nick Mellis, Fractional CTO at Unconventional Consulting, Taylor Williams, CTO at Learn Amp, Ken Baxter, CTO at Airbox Systems, and Adam Horner, CTO Coach at Synova Technology. Together, they explore the path to becoming a CTO, discussing challenges, leadership strategies, and the skills needed to thrive in this executive role. Tune in for valuable insights into navigating the CTO journey, from coaching to real-world tech leadership.
2025-01-3149 minThe CTO Playbook23: Two CTOs Face Off in a Christmas ShowdownJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!In this episode, it’s a CTO Christmas Tale! You'll learn the importance of steady leadership, how to manage tech debt effectively, the risks of rushing features, and why balanced teamwork leads to success.Timestamps:[00:50] Two CTOs prepare for a funding race [01:34] Rallying the team with bold demands [02:13] Adopting a steady approach with a coach’s advice [02:52] Rushing features led to technical chaos [03:29] AI assistant mocks poor p...
2024-12-2408 minThe CTO Playbook20: How to Master Communication for Effective LeadershipJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!In this episode, you'll learn how to communicate effectively as a CTO, master nonverbal cues, build trust with your team, and handle crises with clear communication.Timestamps:[04:45] The impact of mismatched communication cues [06:10] Understanding your audience as a technology leader [07:25] Why tone matters in delivering important messages [08:45] Using nonverbal cues like eye contact and body language [10:20] The role of empathy in effective communication [12:05] How listen...
2024-12-0341 min
Bass Generator RecordsIn My House 137 With Valley Houser Feat. Adam 3Sixty & Lil Miss SandiIn My House 137 With Valley Houser
Feat. Adam 3Sixty & Lil Miss Sandi
https://soundcloud.com/bass-generator-records
01 - Headhunterz & Wildstylez - Prelude
02 - Headhunterz & Wildstylez - Life Beyond Earth
Lil Miss Sandi (Debut Guest Mix)
https://www.facebook.com/healthhazard
03 - Error - Thunder
04 - Dutta - Whipper
05 - Dixxy & Rikston - Tomorrow Bay
06 - Dixxy & Rikston- Scream Out Loud
07 - Steryx - Third Eye
08 - Premium - Stronger
09 - Dixxy & Rikston - Light Up The Night
10 - Dixxy & Rikston - Let Me No
11 - Nais - Say It
12 - Kosheen - Hide U - Remix
13 - Rob IYF - Cry...
2024-11-161h 55The CTO Playbook16: How to Build an Engineering Strategy that Scales Without Wasting ResourcesIn this episode, Adam talks about how to create a strong engineering strategy and prioritize creating roadmaps that align with company goals while effectively communicating your strategy to the entire team.Timestamps:[02:19] Aligning the engineering strategy with company goals [06:00] Creating a roadmap for the engineering strategy[13:40] Building a process roadmap [24:03] Prioritizing and executing the engineering strategy Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and Y...
2024-11-0530 minThe CTO Playbook15: The Hidden Threats Facing Product And Tech Leaders with Todd ZinoIn this episode, Adam and Todd talk about why tech and product leaders need to expand their roles in today's market, why many startups struggle with tech debt and product debt, how AI is reshaping the responsibilities of engineers and CTOs, what the future holds for fractional CTO roles, and what Todd thinks about the shifting demands on tech leaders and the future of the CTO role.Todd is an experienced CPTO now doing fractional work, startup advisory, and working on his own SaaS platform. Todd offers consulting services for businesses seeking responsible growth...
2024-10-2951 minThe CTO Playbook14: Blueprint for Growing Global, Remote-First Engineering Teams with Magnus LenngrenMagnus Lenngren is an engineering leader and a three-time unicorn builder.In this episode, you'll find out how to scale remote-first engineering teams effectively, the key challenges leaders face when growing teams quickly, the biggest mistakes to avoid during hypergrowth, why strong company culture is critical in scaling, and how to keep employees engaged and productive in a remote setting.Magnus is an experienced CTO and Director of Engineering, skilled at scaling engineering teams, especially in Fintech, with experience at Collector Bank, Klarna, and now Mews among others. Magnus...
2024-10-221h 02The CTO Playbook13: How To Network and Build Powerful Connections with Zoe CunninghamZoe Cunningham is a director at Softwire and author of Networking Know-How.In this episode, you will learn what most people get wrong about networking and why it’s so misunderstood. Zoe talks about simple ways to build genuine connections without feeling awkward, how introverts can excel at networking with the right approach, how to prepare for networking events to make them more enjoyable, and why investing in networking now pays off in the long run.Zoe Cunningham is an award-winning technology professional and currently a Director of Softwire Te...
2024-10-1546 minThe CTO Playbook12: Upgrade Your Bitcoin Knowledge (2024 Edition) with Adem BilicanJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!In this episode, Adam interviews Adem Bilican, the CTO at Relai, the App, about Bitcoin's value and its potential as a global currency. Adem discusses the technological advancements in Bitcoin, such as the Lightning Network, and offers insights into overcoming barriers to adoption.Adem Bilican, is the co-founder and CTO at Relai, Europe's number one Bitcoin app. We provide an app for your mobile phone that users can use to easily buy and sell Bitcoin while keeping full ow...
2024-10-1253 minThe CTO Playbook11: The Parable of the Firefighter CTOJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a great CTO!In this episode, Adam discusses how CTOs can transition from firefighting to strategic leadership by following a structured, disciplined approach.Timestamps:5:19 Create time blocks for strategic work to avoid constant firefighting.9:51 Build trust by empowering your team through delegation.16:07 Focus on documenting why and how, not just what, to improve processes.23:38 Block off time for your top priority and protect it fiercely....
2024-10-0125 minThe CTO Playbook10: The Five S's for Delivering Technical Presentations with Dipak MistryJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a great CTO.In this episode, Adam interviews Dipak Mistry, a senior architect with 25 years of experience. Dipak shares his structured approach to presentations, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, conflict and resolution, and a clear narrative to make technical information more relatable and engaging.Dipak Mistry helps small, medium and corporates business's grow and become efficiently sustainable by aiming to deliver value and achieve each business's mission. Dipak delivers a Technology Presentation Training Program that helps IT...
2024-09-2444 minThe CTO Playbook9: How Being a Friendly Leader Could Be Stifling Your Innovation with Carol PalombiniJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about how to be a leader!In this episode, Adam interviews Carol Palombini, a psychologist and leadership coach specializing in psychological safety. Carol offers insights on how fostering psychological safety can drive team innovation and what leaders can do to create safe, effective work environments.Carol Palombini is a seasoned Psychologist and Tech Leadership Coach. Her passion lies in being a catalyst for transformation among tech leaders who face challenges such as communication issues, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the intricate de...
2024-09-1737 minThe CTO Playbook8: How to Cross the CTO Chasm (and Why Most Don’t Make It Across!)Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about the five-step playbook!In this episode, Adam dives into the challenges of transitioning from a technical leader to a strategic CTO, outlining a five-step playbook to help navigate this journey successfully. He also shares insights on overcoming common obstacles and embracing a leadership mindset.Timestamps:8:45 Make fewer decisions by delegating responsibilities.12:33 Adopt a learning mindset for your new role.18:47 Learn the language of the business to succeed.27:35 Empower yo...
2024-09-1016 minThe CTO Playbook7: How Empathy Drives Change (Innovation Tips for CTOs) with Daniel WaltersJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about empathic, dynamic reteaming!In this episode, Adam interviews Daniel Walters, a seasoned CTO coach and consultant. Daniel shares his experiences on leading change within organizations, focusing on collaboration, dynamic reteaming, and the emotional impact of restructuring.Daniel Walters is a Technology Strategy Consultant and CTO coach based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 25 years of experience in technology leadership across various sectors, he specializes in systems thinking, technology strategy, and situational leadership. Daniel has he...
2024-09-0359 minThe CTO Playbook6: Strategies for a Healthy CTO-CPO Relationship with John BroomeJoin The CTO Playbook Slack Community to learn more about startups and scale ups!In this episode, Adam interviews John Broome, a seasoned product leader with over 20 years of experience. John shares insights on generative AI, collaboration between CTOs and CPOs, and the importance of being customer-centric in product management.John Broome is a product and operations practitioner having worked in customer service, development, sales, marketing and project management for the past 20 years. Spending most of his time managing products and UX leadership throughout finance, gaming, e-commerce and now...
2024-08-2753 minThe CTO Playbook5: What Kind of CTO are YOU?If you are finding this podcast helpful, please rate and review so other CTO's can join the conversation.In this episode, Adam explores the different types and stages of a CTO's journey, offering insights and practical strategies to help you identify your strengths and align with your organization's needs.Timestamps:3:15 Understand the stages of CTO growth.4:30 Determine what type of CTO your organization needs now.7:20 Assess your strengths and weaknesses using a SWOT analysis.10:24 Identify the gaps between...
2024-08-2016 minThe CTO Playbook1: My Story on How I Learned to Thrive as a CTOWelcome to the CTO Playbook! I'm Adam Horner, your host, with over 30 years in the tech industry and more than a decade as a CTO. In this podcast, we cover essential topics, strategies, and practical advice to help CTOs excel. Join me as we explore my journey, share insights from industry leaders, and build your unique CTO playbook. Whether you're navigating the rapid changes in technology or handling growing responsibilities, you're not alone. Tune in for valuable resources, community support, and expert interviews.In this episode, Adam shares his journey to becoming a CTO...
2024-07-1108 min