As chief innovator and problem solver, the CTO’s value far exceeds technology skills. The CTO must lead as a highly visible, first-class citizen of the C-suite. Still, many technology experts operate in a reactive, support-oriented style, struggling to command respect or assert influence—let alone executive presence. Whether setting the tone as a new hire or looking to redirect or revitalize an established role, one hundred days are all you need to secure long-term success. In CTO Excellence in 100 Days: Becoming the Leader Your Company Deserves , Etienne de Bruin offers actionable guidelines on how to lead both your company’s technology strategy and the people behind it. The work begins with assessing whether you’re in the right place. Next, Etienne’s methodical approach helps you build trust and visibility through effective communications and a strategic quick win, introduce your company’s technology vision, and navigate challenges—from engaging stakeholders to managing conflict—all within that vital one-hundred-day period. "If your goal is to be a world-class CTO, read this. If not, move along. I've known Etienne for years, and every tech leader I send his way always thanks me. He makes me look good, just like this book will make you world-class." - Todd Herman , author of The Alter Ego Effect and 5x Founder "Etienne truly understands the role of CTO, which is why it doesn't surprise me that he wrote CTO Excellence in 100 Days . Every time we talk, his love for people and his craft shines through. As a fellow geek who has had to navigate the world of leadership, I recommend every technical leader have this book on their bookshelf." - Sri Shivananda , Executive VP, CTO at PayPal " CTO Excellence in 100 Days reflects what makes Etienne and 7CTOs such a special community. Etienne captures so wonderfully the duality of the CTO role through highlighting the importance of bringing technology and emotional intelligence together in a real, authentic way." - Kathy Keating , CTO Coach, Board Member "Being an awesome technology leader can be lonely and hard to navigate. Etienne has not only created the roadmap but the community to get there. His book brings to life emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and confidence into one concise source for the next generation of great CTOs." - Alex Balazs , Chief Architect at Intuit "Etienne is my go-to CTO coach for any SaaS founder and CEO. He is unconventional and brilliant. CTO Excellence in 100 Days is the gateway to his mind and a blueprint for any company's CTO." - Dan Martell , Founder of SaaS Academy "To be a successful CTO is to bring the technical world and the business world together in a way that looks and feels effortless. Etienne's care for the people and the systems we build and work within shines through in every chapter. This is the guide all current or hopeful CTOs need to be an impactful and embraced member of their C-suite." - Erin Fusaro , VP of Engineering at Chipper Cash "Few teachers combine such deep understanding of both technical leadership and people development. If you have realized that tech needs to be more humane, read Etienne's advice on how." - Aaron Contorer , Managing Partner at Greatscale Ventures "Most CTOs know how to make technical decisions. The challenge as they grow is to determine how to bring the company along in those decisions. To be a successful CTO you need to have the emotional intelligence to take your team on that journey. This book brings that emotional intelligence to life in an authentic way." - Christopher Lefelhocz , VP of Development at GitLab "There's not much discussion for CTOs connecting technology with heart. This is an important read for CTOs, bringing self-awareness and empathy to technical life in a real and authentic way." - Brant Cooper , author, speaker, disruptor " CTO Excellence in 100 Days is a reflection of the values I've come to know in Etienne. In all things, his love for people excels and it shows on every page of this excellent guide every CTO should read." - Matt Ferguson , CTO at Galley Solutions "Blessed are the communicators. Etienne is that rare talent who can do it, has done it, and knows how to teach you to do it. I've experienced his wisdom firsthand and, let's be honest, his is the voice in my head when I seek my own betterment. Once you meet him, you will be sad you hadn't met him sooner." - Kelly Abbott , CTO at Tablecloth Etienne de Bruin began his career as a software developer in his native South Africa before moving to Germany, where he joined a startup building innovative products in the data encryption space, then to San Diego, where he managed the supply chain and business intelligence of a biotech startup. From 2005 to 2015, Etienne co-founded a company, where he served as CTO, navigating SaaS product development in a rapidly scaling environment and establishing himself as a highly effective C-level executive. After se