Modern CTO Is Your Company Frozen or Boiling? with Etienne de Bruin, Founder of 7CTOs
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Aug 18, 2025 Etienne de Bruin, the Founder of 7CTOs and co-author of 'Liquid,' dives into the transformative concept of operating in a 'liquid' state for organizations. He discusses how complex adaptive systems shape technology leadership and why financial literacy is essential for modern CTOs. The conversation also highlights the evolving roles of CTOs, the need for ongoing learning and humility, and the significance of community in the tech sector. Etienne’s insights offer valuable guidance for navigating the complexities of today's business landscape.
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Organizations As Complex Adaptive Systems
- Liquid describes organizations as complex adaptive systems where behavior emerges from relationships between parts.
- The ideal state is 'liquid' between frozen and boiling to enable predictable adaptability.
Star Hire That Broke The Team
- Etienne recounts hiring a star engineer that unexpectedly collapsed team planning and operations.
- He uses this to show organizational brittleness when a system's interactions change.
Frozen, Liquid, Or Boiling States
- Liquid frames organizational states as frozen, liquid, or boiling to describe flexibility and chaos.
- Moving teams from frozen to liquid requires loosening rules and empowering people without tipping into chaos.
