I help CTOs transform from technical problem-solver to strategic leader with clarity, confidence, & impact
Scaling infrastructure is easy. Shifting team culture? That’s where things break down. In the latest episode of The CTO Playbook, I sat down with Eric Johannsen, former CTO of GrowFlow and co-author of C# 8.0 in a Nutshell, to talk about why technical leaders struggle with cultural change — and how to navigate resistance without losing momentum. Why CTOs struggle with cultural change: 🚩 Resistance slows alignment People fear change. Left unchecked, pushback turns into friction. 🚩 Incentives drive the wrong behaviour If KPIs reward the wrong outcomes, teams protect metrics—not value. 🚩 Trust is shaky Without trust, decisions get questioned and progress stalls. 🚩 No safety = hidden resistance When people don’t feel safe, they disengage—or quietly resist. How to drive cultural change as a CTO: 1️⃣ Name the resistance Expect it. Listen early. Separate signal from noise. 2️⃣ Align incentives with outcomes Teams chase what’s measured. Make sure it drives the business forward. 3️⃣ Explain the ‘why’ Decisions need context. Keep tying actions back to strategy. 4️⃣ Follow through Say it. Do it. Repeat. That’s how trust is built. 5️⃣ Create space for honesty Lift quieter voices. Reward candour. Show feedback is safe. If you’re leading a cultural shift, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Find The CTO Playbook on your favourite podcast platform (link in the comments). 👉🏼 What’s one strategy that helped you get buy-in during a culture shift? - - - P.S. I’m Adam Horner. I help CTOs transform from technical problem-solver to strategic leader with clarity, confidence, and impact. Follow and share as I talk about life as a CTO.
I completely agree. Scaling infrastructure is one thing, but shifting team culture is where the real challenge lies. Especially with the rapid changes in the AI landscape, the ability to adapt, trust, and collaborate becomes even more critical. I've worked through this firsthand in several companies over the past few years, and I really connect with Eric's thoughts on tackling resistance and fostering trust. For me, the most important thing has always been to make sure the team's goals are in sync with long-term results while also keeping the lines of communication open for genuine feedback. When people feel heard and safe, they’re more open to change. And as Eric mentioned, following through consistently is what builds the trust needed to push through cultural shifts. In today’s world, with AI rapidly reshaping industries, clear communication on "why" changes are happening is more important than ever behind every decision, especially when you are moving toward a shared vision. Without that clarity, resistance becomes inevitable.
Check out the full episode on YouTube: 👉🏽 https://youtu.be/fecMUniUbpg For different ways to listen: 👉🏽 https://www.synova.tech/podcast
Strategic Client Advisor | Driving Complex Digital CX, AI Solutions @ZahrayConsulting | Fractional Client Partner | Adobe Partner Client Manager @Workfocus | Senior Innovation AE @SPD.Tech
3wThanks for sharing, Adam, very interesting and timely for many companies