30 Second Mindset Shift for CTOs: Your Transformation Is Failing Because Nobody Knows Who You Are

Read time: 2.5 minutes

The 30-Second CTO Mindset Shift

1. Stop Looking at Visibility as an Act of Communicating
Instead, see it as a way to drive change. Each time you hold a Town Hall, send an email, or have a casual chat, you’re either creating traction or doing nothing to help. There isn’t a grey area.

2. Define the Definition of your Executive Brand Impact

• How many changes are adopted?

• Building trust internally?

• Aligning with executives?

• Recruiting great talent?

• Building momentum for transformation?

Invisible leaders not only fail, but they are also costly.

3. Identify Why People Forget You
Many leaders of transformation use corporate-speak to avoid offending anyone. However, pleasing everyone with your views on an issue creates no impact. Make it clear rather than seeking a comfortable view.

4. Ensure Your Then-Non-Negotiable Position is Dismissed
Ensure your entire organization understands your belief in what must change, the legacy conduct you will not tolerate, your future operating model and why the transformation cannot wait. If you cannot state it clearly, then resistance will win out.

5. Treat All Internal Systems as Megaphones
The intention for both your external branding and in your organization is the same. Use Slack, use your voice in meetings, write the memo you know will be unpopular.

Show your co-workers how you think. Do not mistake silence for being strategic… it is only being invisible.

💡Key Takeaway: 

Working for a corporation keeps you out of work. Working for a corporation with confidence will help you be successful. Choose which works best for you as you try to create a transformation.