Top 10 books every CTO should read

Are you familiar with the classic Dr Seuss saying that “the more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go”?

• We will introduce you to 10 amazing books we recommend to every CTO!

Well, it couldn’t be truer of what is needed to be an effective CTO! Like in many other professional disciplines, reading and self-development are indispensable if you want to be a skilled and supportive leader.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 books for CTOs. Among other subjects, they speak on key areas such as productivity, the art of making smart decisions, being a good leader, and understanding UX principles.

Make sure to cross them off of your ‘to-read’ list (or include them in your upcoming Amazon order!).

#1. Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager / Michael Lopp

A humorous recollection of what it was like being a software engineering manager in Silicon Valley for more than 20 years. While you’re likely going to be laughing or shaking your head in disbelief while you peruse the pages of this book (spoiler alert: there’s some chair throwing included), you’ll also take away a lot of wisdom on what it means to be a good manager. A recommended read for anyone looking to ace their role as a tech leader.

#2. The Hard Thing About Hard Things / Ben Horowitz

You might know Ben Horowitz as the person who famously said he was going to use many lead bullets to solve a problem due to the lack of a silver bullet.

In fact, “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” builds upon this exact notion by discussing the ways to tackle difficulties of running a startup. It also helps you understand how to be a leader your team looks up to — even in the most difficult of times.

#3. Don’t make me think! / Steve Krug

If you want to succeed as a CTO, you must learn how to communicate with designers effectively and understand the elements that drive (or disrupt) website usability.

“Don’t make me think!” by Steve Krug is the perfect introductory reading for this! The book gets reprinted nearly year after year and is still relevant 20 years after its initial debut. It’s also one of the best books for CTOs who want to quickly get the hang of the subject — you can read it from beginning to end over weekend coffee or during a long layover.

#4. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time / Jeff Sutherland

An all-time classic by one of the authors of the Agile Manifesto, and an absolute must-read for anyone who manages employees. Through his extensive experience of running teams (and salvaging entire, multi-million projects), Sutherland makes a strong case for Scrum and why it’s as popular as it is today. Plus, you’ll be intrigued to discover what Sutherland has done for the FBI in the days following 9/11…

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