Ask HN: What are good books/blogs to read for a first time CTO?

Article summary

The article asks for book and blog recommendations for a first-time CTO. The author is planning their first startup and wants to know what resources to read. The post is seeking advice on what to focus on as a new CTO. The goal is to gather information on the best resources for a first-time CTO to learn from.

Main themes

• CTO role and responsibilities
• startup mentality and lean principles
• management and leadership
• learning and self-improvement
• prioritizing product development
• people management and psychology

What commenters say

• A first-time CTO should focus on learning about startup mentality and lean startup principles before diving into technical details.
• Reading books on management and leadership is essential for a CTO, but it's also important to have hands-on experience and learn from mentors.
• Some commenters believe that a first-time CTO should prioritize building the product and getting traction over reading books and learning about management theories.
• Others argue that learning and self-improvement are crucial for a CTO, even if it means taking time away from coding and building the product.
• The role of a CTO can vary greatly depending on the company size, industry, and background, making it difficult to recommend specific books or resources.
• A CTO should prioritize learning about people management, negotiation, and psychology, as these skills are essential for success in the role.
• Some commenters recommend specific books, such as 'The Mythical Man Month' and 'The Phoenix Project', while others suggest that these books may not be relevant or relatable to everyone's experience.
• The importance of balancing learning and action is a recurring theme, with some arguing that too much focus on learning can lead to perfectionism and distraction from the main goal of building a successful startup.