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Ask HN: What's the best book for a tech guy who's becoming CEO?

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11–18 of 18 posts

Re: Ask HN: What's the best book for a tech guy who's becoming CEO?

#11
I highly recommend "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries. It offers valuable insights on agile management and innovation, which are crucial in leadership roles.

As for LinkedIn, definitely showcase your outsourcing experience with a multinational corporation. It demonstrates your adaptability and ability to collaborate on a global scale, which can make your profile more appealing to potential employers.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best book for a tech guy who's becoming CEO?

#12
We in exUSSR joke about this, and recommend two books: Bible and criminal legislation.

In reality, to run a company is not a chess. Most important you will see constant need to make decisions, without have enough information, so criminal legislation need to know, what to NOT do, and Bible, to accept fact, that you cannot control everything, some things will run their own way.

All books from famous persons, should be considered with huge grain of salt, because of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias

As conclusion, I'm survivor, but not famous, and we could talk, ask if you wish.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best book for a tech guy who's becoming CEO?

#14
post #12

We in exUSSR joke about this, and recommend two books: Bible and criminal legislation. In reality, to run a company is not a chess. Most important you will see constant need to make decisions, without have enough information, so criminal legislation need to know, what to NOT do, and Bible, to accept fact, that you cannot control everything, some things will run their own way. All books from famous persons, should be…

> We in exUSSR joke about this, and recommend two books: Bible and criminal legislation.

This is unironically the best advice in this thread.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best book for a tech guy who's becoming CEO?

#15
As a CEO and former tech guy (20yr corp and management exp.). A few things

1. Get feedback but make decision and standby it. But be willing to change. Doing things that are unpopular won't be easy especially when you hit a bump. 2. Be willing to fire quickly - including someone that you hired and think they are the best thing. 3. Acknowledge and give credit - Take fault and say you are sorry when things don't go right. 4. Avoid being a buddy buddy, also after parties - you have to wake up the next day look someone in the eye and lead them.

You are the captain of the ship - it's a wild ride, have fun keep your eyes and ears open.

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