Developing a CTO Mindset as an Engineer

A senior engineer writes excellent code. A CTO-level engineer builds systems that solve business problems.

The transition requires a shift in perspective. You must start thinking about Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), team velocity, and alignment with product strategy. Sometimes, the best engineering decision is to use a boring, managed service rather than building a custom solution. This post outlines key mental models for engineers looking to increase their strategic impact.