As a CTO you're going to be presented with really bad ideas. I mean mind bogglingly terrible technology recommendations or business practices that border on unethical or illegal actions as well as things your experience has taught you just won't work.
You have to have the backbone to be the leader in these situations and stand your ground in opposition of them. If you don't two things will happen.
1. You'll always be compromising your integrity. Once you've let yourself be bullied into actions you know are wrong you'll always be in a position of weakness.
2. You assume accountability for the negative outcome. Regardless of where the idea cam from, you knew it was a BAD IDEA but you let it happen anyway. You're accountable for the outcome.
Instead…
Follow these three steps:
Inform – Make sure whoever is pushing the BAD IDEA has the full picture. Many a bad decision can be overcome simply by educating someone on the consequences or technical realities of the situation. For example, “This will cost more that annual revenue, this will require 100 man years of effort, this is ILLEGAL!”
Collaborate – Offer alternatives. Work to turn the BAD IDEA into a GOOD IDEA. Leverage your expertise to find a better way to reach the outcome (unless the outcome itself is the BAD IDEA).
Set An Example – Be willing to walk away. You're a leader. Your ethics shouldn't be negotiable. When necessary, however painful you have to be willing to separate yourself from decisions, organizations, and individuals that compromise them.
My motto is – Intelligence, Collaboration, Leadership. I Live by this. These are my three steps.
What is the worst BAD IDEA you've ever been faced with? How did you respond?
Comment below and share your story.
