#530 Radical Clarity: Pete Steege on How Accidental CEOs Simplify to Grow

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Pete Steege, Founder of B2B Clarity and author of Radical Clarity. Pete helps “accidental CEOs” — technical experts who suddenly find themselves leading companies — move from chaos to focus by simplifying what matters most.

They explore how meaning, empathy, and intentional leadership drive business growth, why founders must rediscover their true story, and how doing less can unlock exponential results.

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👤 About Pete Steege

Pete Steege is the Founder of B2B Clarity, a consultancy helping B2B tech CEOs find clarity and focus in their business strategy and messaging. A former engineer turned advisor and author, Pete guides technical leaders to uncover the “why” behind their business and communicate it with radical simplicity.

He’s also the author of Radical Clarity: Simplify to Grow, which offers frameworks for CEOs to align their team, culture, and growth around purpose.

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💡 Key Takeaways

• The concept of the Accidental CEO — when expertise turns into leadership.

• Why doing less often accelerates growth.

• The power of defining your company’s “true story” and bullseye market.

• How empathy and generosity shape authentic leadership.

• Why founders should say “no” more often — and how clarity becomes their compass.

• Balancing authenticity and AI in the noisy digital age.

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🎓 What You’ll Learn

• How to identify your true purpose as a founder or CEO.

• Practical ways to simplify your operations and messaging.

• The mindset shift from expert to leader.

• How radical clarity drives alignment across culture, customers, and growth.

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🕒 Episode Highlights

• 00:02:00 — What it means to be an “accidental CEO.”

• 00:04:00 — The inspiration behind Radical Clarity.

• 00:08:00 — The role of empathy and generosity in leadership.

• 00:12:00 — Why doing less creates space for meaning and growth.

• 00:24:00 — Authenticity, intention, and generosity as a CEO mindset.

• 00:39:00 — How to stay human in the AI-driven world.

• 00:50:00 — The Accidental CEO Audit and how Pete works with founders.

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Book: Radical Clarity: Simplify to Grow — https://www.b2b-clarity.com/books/radical-clarity/

• Website: https://www.b2b-clarity.com/cto— access Pete’s frameworks, audit, and contact info.