The 7 CTO Archetypes
Seven distinct leadership profiles. Your archetype determines the LIT pillar balance you need and which of the 32 learning areas to focus on first.
Your archetype shapes your development path
The CTO position is not one size fits all. It evolves as your company grows, leadership shifts, and strategic demands change. From the visionary Founder CTO through Startup, Scaleup, and Fractional positions, each stage brings its own kind of leadership.
These seven archetypes represent distinct leadership profiles your organisation might recognise. Each one demands a different balance across the three LIT pillars (Leader, Innovator, Technologist) and a different starting point across the 4Ps and 32 learning areas.
Understanding your archetype is how you go from "I should be more strategic" to knowing exactly where to focus your development across the full scope of the position.
The seven archetypes
Each archetype reflects a stage, a context, and a distinct set of demands on the technology leader.
Founder CTO
Leading from Day OneThe Founder CTO is a technologist transitioning into leadership while building a product from scratch in the idea or pre seed stage. Their job is to turn an idea into reality by developing the MVP and ensuring it aligns with the broader business vision. This archetype is often the architect of the initial product and sets the stage for future scalability.
Heavy on Technologist with growing need for Innovator. The Leader pillar emerges as the team grows beyond just the founder.
Product (Customer Feedback, Market Research) and People (Team Communication, Delegation) as you move from building alone to building with others.
Startup CTO
The First Dedicated Technology LeaderThe Startup CTO steps in during the seed stage as the first full time technical leader. With the product already in development, this archetype leads the technical strategy, scales the product, and builds the initial engineering team. The focus is on driving technical execution while aligning it with evolving business goals.
Balanced across Technologist and Innovator, with the Leader pillar becoming critical as the team scales past the first few hires.
Process (System Design, Project Delivery, Resource Planning) and People (Team Communication, Hiring & Onboarding) to build the foundation for a functioning team.
Scaleup CTO
Driving 10x GrowthThe Scaleup CTO takes charge when the company has achieved product market fit and is scaling aggressively. The focus shifts to building scalable infrastructure, managing larger teams, and ensuring the product can handle increased demand while maintaining quality and performance. This archetype is no longer hands on but leads strategic technical growth.
Shift toward Leader as the primary pillar. The Innovator pillar drives scalability thinking. Technologist becomes about judgment, not hands on work.
Process (Metrics & Monitoring, Resource Planning, Risk Management) and Profit (Strategic Planning) as scale demands systems, governance, and financial fluency.
Fractional CTO
Part Time Strategic LeadershipThe Fractional CTO provides high level technical expertise to multiple companies on a part time or consulting basis. Often engaged by businesses that need strategic technology guidance but don't require a full time position. This archetype brings critical expertise to shape the technology roadmap without the overhead of a full time commitment.
Strong across all three pillars with emphasis on Leader and Innovator. Must diagnose quickly and influence without authority across multiple contexts.
Profit (Strategic Planning, Business Cases) and People (Stakeholder Management, Hiring & Onboarding) to create immediate impact across multiple organisations.
Shepherd CTO
Nurturing Stability and SecurityThe Shepherd CTO is a guardian of stability, security, and operational excellence. This archetype is most valuable when a company's technology infrastructure is in place but needs careful management and continuous improvement. They ensure that systems are reliable and secure, and that the team is supported and nurtured.
Primary strength in Leader with deep Technologist credibility. The Innovator pillar is where Shepherds often need to stretch the most.
People (Trust Building, Performance Management, Conflict Resolution) and Process (Documentation, Quality Control) to maintain excellence and team health.
Maverick CTO
Championing Innovation and DisruptionThe Maverick CTO is a risk taker and innovator, unafraid to challenge the status quo and drive bold technological changes. This archetype thrives in fast moving, competitive environments where staying ahead requires cutting edge solutions and disruptive thinking. The focus is on pushing boundaries and embracing new technologies to keep the company at the forefront.
Strongest in Innovator with solid Technologist foundation. The Leader pillar is where Mavericks often need the most development to bring others along.
Product (Competitive Analysis, Innovation Management, Product Strategy, Partnership Development) to channel innovation into market advantage.
Alchemist CTO
Transforming Chaos into OrderThe Alchemist CTO specialises in turning fragmented, chaotic systems into streamlined, high performing operations. This archetype is ideal for companies going through mergers, acquisitions, or major transitions, where integrating disparate technologies and teams is critical. The Alchemist brings structure and efficiency to complex environments.
Demands strength across all three pillars. Leader to align people through change, Innovator to reimagine systems, Technologist to understand what needs integrating.
Process (System Design, Automation, Documentation, Risk Management) and People (Stakeholder Management) to bring order from chaos and align fragmented teams.
Which archetype are you?
Most people get this wrong. They think they're the Maverick, but they're acting like the Shepherd. Until you own where you're at, you can't grow. If you don't get honest about where you're at, you can't get where you want to go.