The Lessons From the First 50 Days in My Role as a CTO in a Startup.
A little while ago, I decided to change my career path and try something a bit different — a startup. I was very anxious to join a company that is only forming, but I felt like something was missing in all the roles I’ve been in so far. While the big guys (corporations) were enjoyable in different ways, unfortunately, they quickly became quite dull. So that’s how I ended up looking for a new challenge, and I found one.
I joined ESGgen, a Greentech startup with great potential and focus on doing the right thing with wonderful people and a strong vision in place. Sounds like a perfect place. I knew that my involvement would allow me to build everything from scratch — technology, team and the project. It is an opportunity to do it right and not repeat mistakes I saw so many times in previous places I worked for. The journey has begun…
After 50 days of being a CTO in an early startup — a few thoughts.
I‘ve been at ESGgen only 50 days now and wanted to share some lessons and thoughts from my experience. I’m sure there are going to be hundreds more coming my way very soon (and that’s probably the best part, to be honest!). So, let’s get started!
With great power comes great responsibility.
I always knew that people take full responsibility for their actions only when they can make and own their decisions. Now it applies to me more than ever before. It’s empowering, creates a great sense of ownership, and I can use it to create good. I feel more comfortable making hard decisions, knowing they are genuinely mine, and if I screw up, it’s all on me to sort it out. I never thought about it, but big corporations and multiple layers within organisations often give opportunities to hide mistakes. That’s where we often find “the wrong people in the wrong place”. However, early startups are very sensitive, and bad choices can create massive implications or cost in the future. That doesn’t mean they don’t happen.
I put much more effort than ever before.
Since there is more at stake, I put more effort into everything I do, and I get more upset if things are not going the way I hoped. “Is it the best way of spending my time?” is the question that often comes to me as I want to make sure my work creates maximum value for the business. I’m learning how to balance doing things right, achieving goals fast, and planning for a better future.
I care and want to help even more than before.
As a company co-owner, I care about every aspect of the business and want to help in all areas, even where I’m not an expert. It’s all connected, and if my work brings more value somewhere else, I don’t care, I will learn and help. I’m also genuinely more interested in other people’s challenges, thinking about how technology can help to solve them. It’s always good to have the bigger picture in mind.
The sense of belonging.
In the last year, I went through a serious phase of ‘burning out” and thought about leaving software engineering behind. This feeling is now gone. I enjoy coding again and everything else (especially everything else) that comes with leading technology teams. I always wanted to identify myself with the company I worked at and never had that opportunity before. The exciting sense of fulfilment, knowing all goals have a purpose and create impact.
Learning more and faster than ever before.
I’m learning how startups, fundraising and strategy in such an early company works, and it is fascinating. Something I did not expect to enjoy. I can get involved in different parts of the business. I see the whole experience as one of the best learning opportunities ever.
I can be efficient.
It is fascinating how much can be done when disruptions are close to zero. What surprises me at ESGgen is that I’m capable of delivering my work faster than I anticipated despite my apparently ambitious deadlines. That’s one of the things I want to preserve when our team grows, and we will be working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Example: I can design and build a fully working website within 5 days. LOL. www.esggen.com was released just a few days ago 🙂
Coding skills. I never lost them.
I still got it! After 2–3 years of not coding daily, I felt “rusty”, but when I started coding again, a few days in and the feeling was gone. A few weeks later, we already have a rock-solid app Core and planning the release date. I’m rediscovering (and enjoying) the typical coder’s life of “yes, it works” followed by “FFS, why it doesn’t work anymore?” half an hour later. On top of that, not dealing with legacy systems and historical technical decisions is one of the most amazing things.
Discovered the reason to wake up in the morning.
I’m genuinely excited to wake up every day thinking what amazing things I can do today. Times fly much faster as I sit down in the morning, code for “a moment”, and it’s lunch already! WTF? Despite very intensive days, I don’t feel tired at the end. On the contrary, I feel energized and keen to do more. But, of course, I have my private life like the rest of the team, and I don’t work on “company’s stuff” after hours (I write blogposts and read books).
I can create the best environment for my team.
From finding the right people who share similar values for a balanced life, high standards and focus on doing the right thing. To create a better organizational structure supporting team growth, learning and knowledge sharing. I can’t wait for a moment when new-starters join, and we can work together and share this incredible journey. This is an opportunity for us to build something where we will enjoy our time.
I’m not afraid to dream big again.
At the same time, I know how I can actually achieve these things with the right team and focus. I‘m already thinking about what I will learn and when I will share it with a broader audience from a stage at a conference. That’s something that scares the shit out of me, and I would not even dream about half a year ago.
It’s definitely not for everyone!
High stakes and high responsibility is not something everybody will enjoy.
Final thoughts.
It’s an amazing experience, and I did not expect to enjoy it so much. Every day brings new surprises, although some are predictably predictable, and that’s rather good. I’m enjoying the experience no matter where this will take me in the half-year or year time. All my life experience in various areas brought me where my skills meet the needs. I can stretch my leadership, creativity, entrepreneurship and even coding muscles.
ESGgen is unique for one reason — everybody is here to Do The Right Thing. No bullshit, even if things take a bit longer. This is probably the single, most important value we all share here, and it feels like home.
The lessons from the first 50 days in my role as a CTO in a Startup. was originally published in Startup Stash on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
