Have you ever felt the overwhelming complexity of the CTO role? You're not alone. In the whirlwind of business demands, technical challenges, and team dynamics, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling a hundred priorities at once. That’s why I was thrilled to sit down with Kathy Keating, an Interim CTO, Executive Coach, and co-founder of the CTO Levels Framework, to dive into what makes a truly great CTO.
Kathy has spent over three decades in technology leadership, co-founded multiple companies (with one successful exit), and helped countless organizations scale and thrive. Her distilled wisdom offers CTOs a roadmap to navigate the chaos with clarity and purpose.
In this blog, I’ll share the highlights from my interview with Kathy and explore her Four Pillars of Great CTO Leadership: Speed, Shield, Sales, and Stretch.
You’ll also find the full interview on YouTube or below to watch at your convenience.
Meet Kathy Keating
Kathy isn’t just any CTO—she’s someone who’s been in the trenches, solving high-stakes problems and scaling businesses from the ground up. One of her standout contributions to the tech world is the CTO Levels Framework, a tool designed to simplify the role by categorizing its core responsibilities into four actionable focus areas.
When asked about her approach, Kathy explained:
“The CTO job is very complex. There are hundreds of issues we face daily, but I’ve found that everything we do boils down to four key areas: Speed, Shield, Sales, and Stretch.”
Let’s unpack what each of these pillars means and how they can transform your leadership approach.
1. Speed: Driving Outcomes Fast
The first pillar is speed. As a CTO, you’re often the engine of momentum within your organization. Whether it’s delivering products, resolving issues, or answering critical questions, your ability to act swiftly can make or break the business.
Kathy emphasized:
“Our businesses expect speed—speed of delivery, speed of process, and speed in responding to challenges. The CTO’s job is to ensure we meet those expectations without sacrificing quality.”
How can you enhance speed in your organization? Kathy suggests focusing on lean processes and eliminating roadblocks in collaboration with other departments. For instance, improving the software development lifecycle or addressing bottlenecks in tooling for customer service can have a cascading impact on speed and efficiency.
2. Shield: Protecting the Organization
In Kathy’s words:
“Our job is to shield the business from threats—be it cybersecurity risks, outdated tech stacks, or compliance issues. Shielding ensures the organization stays resilient.”
This responsibility goes beyond installing firewalls. It’s about fostering a proactive mindset to anticipate challenges and mitigate risks. For example, ensuring your technology stack is modern not only protects against vulnerabilities but also makes it easier to attract top talent.
Think about this: What’s your organization’s biggest threat right now? How can you shield your business from it?
3. Sales: Selling Ideas Internally
If you think sales isn’t part of your job as a CTO, think again. Kathy explained how critical it is for technical leaders to “sell” their ideas internally.
“As a CTO, you’re constantly pitching—whether it’s selling a process to your team, getting buy-in for a roadmap, or convincing stakeholders about the value of a new initiative.”
For many engineers-turned-CTOs, this can be a tough skill to develop. Kathy suggests starting small by practicing communication with peers and gradually building the confidence to pitch ideas to the C-suite.
Here’s a tip: Shift your mindset from “convincing others” to “collaborating for a shared outcome.” This approach not only reduces pressure but also creates a stronger connection with your audience.
4. Stretch: Constant Growth and Learning
The final pillar is stretch. As Kathy puts it:
“Stretch is about recognizing your gaps and leaning into them. Whether it’s learning finance, improving communication, or understanding other business functions, continuous growth is essential.”
One practical example Kathy shared was enrolling in courses like “Finance for Non-Finance People” to better understand and collaborate with other executives. These small steps can dramatically improve your ability to bridge technical expertise with business strategy.
So, ask yourself: What’s your next stretch goal?
Why These Pillars Matter
Together, these four pillars create a framework for thriving as a CTO. They help you focus on what truly matters and simplify the chaos of the role. Whether you’re leading a startup, a mid-sized scale-up, or a larger organization, adopting these principles can elevate your leadership and impact.
Final Thoughts
Being a CTO is no small feat. But with frameworks like the Four Pillars, you can lead with confidence, clarity, and impact. As Kathy shared during our conversation:
“The whole world is available to you if you approach challenges with curiosity and the willingness to grow.”
So, what’s your next step? Maybe it’s improving speed in your processes, shielding your business from risks, or learning a new skill. Whatever it is, remember: Growth is a journey, and the CTO role is an adventure.
Let me know your thoughts on Kathy’s framework and how you plan to apply it in our leadership journey. Share your insights in the comments below or connect with me on LinkedIn. Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn or through her website
