CTO Confessions Brought to you by IT Labs

In this episode of CTO Confessions, our host TC Gill and guest Daniel Natic dive into the complex role of leadership in tech, exploring the balance between managerial expertise and deep technical knowledge. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Tech leaders must stay sharp. Keep up with trends, drive change, and understand your team’s decisions. - Treat tools as resources, set aside ego and focus on efficiency. - Challenge the status quo. Streamlining operations is key; change is inevitable, lead it. Our Guest: Daniel Natic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-natic/ Website: https://finquery.com/careers/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode of CTO Confessions, we explore the dynamic relationship between educational standards, student engagement and the role of artificial intelligence. Listen to Todd Ellermann’s perspective on how these elements intersect and how they are shaping the future of EdTech. Key takeaways - EdTech companies must understand state-specific standards to succeed in U.S. K-12 education. - Engaging students used to TikTok-like content is a growing challenge. - AI in assessments sparks debates on integrity, skills mastery, and EdTech’s role. Our Guest: Todd Ellermann LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddecus/ Website: https://www.imaginelearning.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

On this episode of CTO Confessions, our host, TC Gill, is joined by Yaron Inger, Founder of Lightricks, who reveals the unfiltered story behind scaling an AI-driven company. Yaron shares the lessons learned during their growth, emphasizing the importance of managing cashflow, deciding to change their business model and navigating all major growth challenges while staying humane and making difficult decisions. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Drive meaningful transformation by anchoring your efforts to clear, purpose-driven goals rather than change for its own sake. Prioritize initiatives that align with the business’s strategic vision to avoid unnecessary disruptions and ensure resources are allocated effectively. - Begin with a deep understanding of what the business needs to achieve. This clarity is much needed to inform the design and implementation of the supporting technology. - Examine past actions and learn from the experiences of other organizations. Many valuable insights are hidden in previous efforts, offering opportunities to drive transformational change by leveraging what has already been tried and tested. Our Guest: Yaron Inger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaroninger/ Website: https://www.lightricks.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode, our host, TC Gill, sits down with Conlath Alcock, Client CTO at T-Systems, to explore how understanding an organization’s current state and learning from the past can set the stage for a strong foundation and successful transformation.

In this episode of CTO Confessions, host TC and Tim Vasil, CTO of LeanTaaS, explore humble leadership, discussing Tim’s journey from solo contributor to leading high-performing teams, his approach to feedback, building a human-centric culture, and knowing when to delegate.

In this episode of CTO Confessions, host TC Gill chats with Ivan Kusalic, CTO of green tech organization Enpal. Ivan’s diverse career has shaped his unique approach to tech leadership, rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to transparency and growth. He shares candid insights on leading in the renewable energy industry, inspiring tech leaders of all levels. Key takeaways from the podcast are: Curiosity and empathy: Drive innovation and connection. Transparency: Encourage feedback and learning from mistakes. Tech alignment: Bridge tech and business effectively. Our Guest: Ivan Kusalic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikusalic/ Website: https://www.ivankusalic.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode, TC, our CTO Confessions host, and Skyler Nesheim, the CTO of Dwolla, discuss the strategies and mindsets that have propelled his career in the competitive and dynamic world of FinTech. A hidden world that we all use without knowing it. Key takeaways from the podcast are: Develop a framework to prioritize core, unique technology that drives your business while leveraging SaaS solutions for non-core needs to enable responsible, sustainable growth. Utilize thoughtful questioning, such as "What problem are we solving?" and "What are we optimizing for?" to align teams, challenge assumptions, and drive better decision-making. Emphasize the value of documenting decisions, potential second-order effects, and leveraging mental models to improve collaboration, knowledge sharing, and future problem-solving abilities. Our Guest: Skyler Nesheim LinkedIn: Skyler Nesheim | LinkedIn Website: https://www.dwolla.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Hodges, the CTO of Live Oak Bank, a digital-only small business bank. Jeremy shares his passion for customer-centric technology, his approach to balancing innovation and compliance, and the importance of addressing organizational weaknesses. Hear how Jeremy cascades his audacious vision throughout the company and empowers his teams to drive real impact. This is a must-listen for any tech leader looking to elevate their leadership game. Key takeaways from the podcast are: Jeremy’s unwavering focus on delivering technology that truly serves the customer’s needs is a masterclass in putting the user first. His team’s deep dive into the voice of customer research – a model all tech leaders should emulate. Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of banking is no easy feat, but Jeremy has found a way to enable his teams to innovate within the guardrails, keeping roadblocks at bay. Jeremy’s willingness to confront the “shadows” in his organization, both at the individual and team level, demonstrates a level of self-awareness and courage that all leaders should aspire to. Our Guest: Jeremy Hodges LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrmyhdgs/ Website: http://www.jeremyhodges.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this CTO confession session, we get insights from a VP of Engineering on Building High-Performing Teams. Join us as we dive into the mind of Farzona Pulatova, a seasoned tech leader who has navigated the industry’s complexities with grace and innovation. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Farzona emphasizes the importance of creating a transparent, empathetic work environment where teams are empowered to focus on what matters most, fostering high performance and innovation. - Farzona's insights on ruthless prioritization and embracing change equip leaders with strategies to navigate uncertainty, modernize systems, and position their organizations for sustainable growth. - Farzona's passion for mentoring women in tech and addressing systemic inequities inspires us to act and create a more inclusive, equitable future for underrepresented groups in the industry. Our Guest: Farzona Pulatova LinkedIn: Farzona Pulatova Website: https://www.earnest.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this session of CTO Confessions, we get an unvarnished look into the trials, tribulations, and hard-won wisdom of a tech leader who’s stepped into the arena of huge challenges and turned things around. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Misha's key message is that mistakes and failures are inevitable, but they are also your greatest growth opportunities. Lean into the lessons your missteps can teach you. - Misha emphasizes the critical importance of deeply understanding your customer's needs and designing intentional experiences rather than getting caught up in the latest shiny new technology. - Misha advocates for creating a work environment that encourages small, low-risk experiments to test hypotheses and iterate rapidly towards product-market fit. Failure is fuel for progress. Our Guest: Misha Makara LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishamakara/ Website: https://www.mishamakara.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)