#73 Will Larson // Thought Leader @ Irrational Exuberance (lethain)
Mar 30, 2023
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Will Larson, thought leader and author, discusses finding the ideal CTO role, leaving a CTO role, negotiating compensation, and predicts a decrease in tech salaries. They also explore topics such as work-life balance, mental wellness, and the importance of understanding company culture.
Finding the ideal CTO role involves considering location, stage, domain, culture, and red flags.
Leaving a CTO role requires succession planning, negotiating exit packages, and assessing career growth opportunities.
CTOs need to be adaptable to technological advancements, regulatory requirements, and potential changes in compensation and demand.
Deep dives
Importance of Office Setup for Productivity and Happiness
The podcast episode discusses the impact of office styling and furniture on team productivity and happiness. It highlights that IKEA offers products and services specifically for businesses, providing a one-stop shop for office furniture and design solutions. Examples are given of how IKEA's products and services can optimize productivity, satisfaction, and connection among employees. The speaker emphasizes the convenience, personalization, and cost-saving benefits of using IKEA's partner portal for customized workplace solutions.
Transitioning from Calm and Exploring New Opportunities
The host and guest discuss the speaker's decision to leave their role as CTO at Calm and explore new opportunities. They highlight the importance of succession planning and considering the transition process when leaving a job. The speaker shares their personal motivations for leaving, including a desire for new challenges and a higher rate of learning. They also mention negotiating exit packages and considering equity agreements. The episode emphasizes the need for adaptability and self-awareness in finding the right fit for one's career goals.
Challenges and Future Trends for CTOs
The podcast delves into future challenges and trends for CTOs in the next five to ten years. The speaker touches on the potential impact of rapidly evolving technology, such as AI and ML, and the growing burden of compliance and regulation in operating internet businesses. They share their views on the changing landscape for highly compensated engineers and how the profession's compensation and demand may evolve. The episode emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and aware of the interplay between technological advancements and regulatory requirements.
Tips for Transitioning into a New Role
The podcast provides insights and tips for CTOs navigating job transitions. The speaker advises on succession planning, properly aligning potential successors, and negotiating exit packages based on the level of involvement in supporting the transition. They recommend assessing career growth opportunities and considering the organizational culture and technical domain of the new company. The importance of understanding friction points within teams and evaluating the potential challenges and opportunities of the role is emphasized. Additionally, the episode addresses the complexity of equity negotiations in later-stage companies.
Reflections on Past Experiences and Looking Ahead
In a time-travel themed segment, the speaker reflects on their past experiences as a director of engineering at DIG in 2011. They discuss how they have learned and grown throughout their career, expressing contentment with the choices made and the lessons learned. The episode concludes with advice to focus on living well in the present rather than dwelling on past decisions, acknowledging the randomness of the world and the ongoing evolution of technology professions.
How to find the ideal CTO Role in 2023: Location, Stage, Domain, Culture and Red Flags
Focus on your CTO career in this podcast with Will Larson about leaving a CTO role, finding a new CTO role, and negotiating your compensation. Will is the thought leader behind the popular blog "Irrational Exuberance" and the book "An Elegant Puzzle: Systems of Engineering Management" and "Staff Engineer: Leadership beyond the management track". Additionally, he is the former CTO of Calm who has also led teams at Uber, Digg, and Yahoo.
Listen to find out:
As a CTO, you know that creating a workspace that supports productivity and employee well-being is crucial to your team's success. And that's where Ikea for Business comes in. With **affordable, modular, and morale-boosting **designs, Ikea offers a range of products and services that can help you create a workspace that works for you. Plus, with their current sweepstakes offering five lucky companies the chance to win a corporate makeover with a âŹ1,000 gift card and an interior design consultation, there's never been a better time to transform your workspace with Ikea for Business. From adjustable-height desks to flexible meeting spaces, Ikea for Business has everything you need to create a stylish and functional workspace that supports your team's success. So why wait? Visit Ikea for Business today and enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win!
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