The LIT Framework
Transform Your Technology Leadership Journey
Are you ready to transcend conventional technology leadership? The LIT Framework isn't just another methodology, it's a fundamental shift in how exceptional CTOs approach challenges and create lasting impact.
What’s the LIT Framework?
LIT stands for Leader, Innovator, and Technologist.
Most people in tech just stay in their lane. They code, they ship tasks, they follow directions. That’s fine, but it won’t take you very far.
The LIT Framework is about being more than just the person who gets stuff done. It’s about learning how to step up, see things differently, and make things better. It helps you show up as someone who leads, who creates, and who understands how to use tech to solve real problems.
Being LIT isn’t a title; it’s a mindset. When you act like a Leader, an Innovator, and a Technologist all at once, people notice. You become the person others trust, follow, and count on when things matter most.
Leader
As a Leader, you align technology with business strategy, inspire teams, and communicate vision effectively. You navigate organisational politics and build strategic partnerships that drive business-wide success.
Innovator
As an Innovator, you cultivate an environment where new ideas flourish. You balance exploration with execution, recognise emerging opportunities, and translate technological possibilities into business value.
Technologist
As a Technologist, you maintain technical credibility while making sound architectural decisions. You evaluate emerging technologies with discernment and ensure your technical foundation supports both current needs and future ambitions.
The transformation happens at the intersection of these three pillars.
200+ Tech Leaders Transformed Since 2011 Through the LIT Framework
The 5 LIT Moves
These 5 Moves help you shift how you think and work. They’re not steps you follow in order; they’re tools you can use anytime to show up stronger, smarter, and more like a leader.
🟦 Move 1: Take Ownership
Role: Technologist → Leader Transformation: Executor → Initiator
Action Statement:Â Own your work. Make the call. Be the head, not the tail.
Don’t wait around for permission. Step up, take the lead, and be the one who takes responsibility. People follow those who take action.
🟡 Move 2: Know the Mission
Role: Innovator Transformation: Tasks → Outcomes
Action Statement:Â Tie your work to what matters most. Speak business fluently.
Connect what you do to the bigger picture. Understand the goals. Speak in outcomes, not just effort.
🔷 Move 3: Speak with Purpose
Role: Leader Transformation: Detail Dump → Framing Value
Action Statement:Â Communicate clarity, not complexity. Influence confidently.
People don’t follow complexity, they follow clarity. Make your message simple, focused, and helpful. That’s how you lead.
🟡 Move 4: Lead with Ideas
Role: Innovator Transformation: Reaction → Initiative
Action Statement: Propose solutions. Solve what others haven’t seen yet.
Leaders don’t just wait for problems; they solve them before others even see them. Bring your ideas to the table.
🔷 Move 5: Grow Others
Role: Leader Transformation: Solo Contributor → Leadership Multiplier
Action Statement:Â Mentor, coach, and build up those around you.Â
Real leadership is about helping others grow. Share what you know. Coach, support, and encourage your team. When they win, you win.
It’s a 1-Technologist, 2-Leader, 2-Innovator multiplier — based on the five moves of the LIT Framework: Take Ownership, Know the Mission, Speak with Purpose, Lead with Ideas, and Grow Others. That’s how you become an impactful technology leader.
Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short
Most technology leaders excel in one dimension but struggle to integrate all three:
- The Technical CTOÂ delivers solid engineering solutions but struggles with organisational influence and innovation culture
- The Visionary CTOÂ generates exciting ideas but faces challenges in execution and organisational alignment
- The Executive CTOÂ navigates corporate politics effectively but loses technical credibility and innovation edge
The LIT Framework provides the missing integration that transforms competent technology leaders into exceptional ones.
Your Journey to Being LIT
We've created a comprehensive ecosystem to support your development across all three LIT dimensions:
1. LIT Weekly Newsletter
LIT Weekly is our flagship newsletter that applies the LIT Framework to real-world CTO challenges.
Each edition tackles a critical topic through the lenses of Leader, Innovator, and Technologist, offering practical insights and thought-provoking questions you can apply right away.
 “LIT Weekly has completely transformed how I approach my role. I now see every challenge as a chance to integrate all three perspectives.” -  Sarah J., CTO
2. LIT: The First Steps (eBook)
Ready to go deeper? Our practical eBook guides you through implementing the LIT Framework in your daily practice. Includes self-assessment tools, exercises, and specific strategies for developing each dimension.
3. Ready to Become CTO (Book)
The definitive guide to exceptional technology leadership. This comprehensive book provides the complete methodology, case studies, and career roadmap for those serious about reaching and excelling in the CTO role.
4. The Art of Being LIT (Book)
Follow the transformational journey of three technology leaders as they discover and apply the LIT Framework to overcome their greatest challenges. This business narrative takes you inside the minds of a technical specialist struggling with organisational influence, a visionary drowning in execution details, and an executive losing technical credibility. Their paths intersect at a pivotal leadership retreat where they discover the power of integrated thinking and begin their journey to becoming truly LIT leaders.
5. CTO Coaching
For those seeking personalised guidance, our coaching programme applies the LIT Framework to your specific challenges and career context.
Who Benefits from the LIT Framework?
- Aspiring CTOs seeking to develop a multidimensional leadership approach
- New CTOs navigating the challenges of their first senior technology leadership role
- Experienced CTOs looking to break through plateaus and maximise their impact
- Technology Leaders (VPs, Directors, Architects) preparing for their next career leap
Spotlight: The Art of Being LIT
"Every exceptional technology leader faces three distinct battles - finding their voice as a leader, maintaining their innovation edge, and preserving their technical credibility. This isn't just a career challenge; it's an identity crisis. The Art of Being LIT illuminates how these seemingly competing demands can become your greatest strength."
The Art of Being LITÂ follows three compelling protagonists:
Michael:Â A brilliant technologist promoted to CTO at a rapidly scaling startup. His technical solutions are flawless, but his ideas get lost in translation with the executive team. As pressure mounts from investors, he finds himself increasingly isolated.
Elisa:Â Head of Innovation at a traditional enterprise undergoing digital transformation. Her vision for the future is crystal clear, but she struggles to execute amid organisational complexity and technical debt.
James:Â A seasoned technology executive who has mastered the boardroom but finds the rapidly evolving technical landscape pulling him further from his roots. His teams respect his authority but question his technical judgment.
When their paths cross at an exclusive technology leadership retreat, they discover the LIT Framework and begin a transformative journey that challenges everything they thought they knew about technology leadership.
Through their intertwined stories, you'll experience:
- The pivotal moments that define or derail a technology leader's career
- The mindset shifts required to integrate seemingly conflicting perspectives
- The practical tools and frameworks that help navigate complex challenges
- The profound impact of being truly "LIT" on both professional success and personal fulfillment
This isn't just another business book; it's a mirror that reflects your own leadership journey and a map to guide you forward.
At BecomeCTO, we're dedicated to developing the next generation of exceptional technology leaders. Founded by experienced CTOs who've navigated the journey from technical specialist to transformational leader, we understand the challenges you face and the mindset shifts required to overcome them.
Our mission is to illuminate the path to exceptional technology leadership through our LIT Framework, creating a world where technology leaders drive meaningful innovation and business success.
