Tier 1: Read These First

CTO Handbook · 5:14

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When data flows like rivers wide and systems start to grow
Five books will be your guiding light, the first things you should know
Kleppmann shows the data way, how systems scale with care
While Larson solves the puzzles that engineering teams must share

[Chorus]
Data, People, Speed, and Path, Strategy that's sound
These are the foundations every CTO has found
Read them first, learn them well, build your knowledge strong
Five essential books to guide you all along

[Verse 2]
Accelerate your delivery, Forsgren shows the way
High performers ship with confidence, improving every day
Fournier maps the manager's path from code to leading teams
Growing people, making choices, building stronger dreams

[Chorus]
Data, People, Speed, and Path, Strategy that's sound
These are the foundations every CTO has found
Read them first, learn them well, build your knowledge strong
Five essential books to guide you all along

[Bridge]
Good strategy cuts through the noise, Rumelt makes it clear
Focus on what matters most, the leverage points appear
From databases to culture change, from metrics to career
These five books hold wisdom that will serve you year by year

[Verse 3]
Start with these before you dive into the deeper sea
Master data-intensive apps and elegant teams that breathe
Measure what accelerates your software delivery
Guide your people up the path with clear strategy

[Chorus]
Data, People, Speed, and Path, Strategy that's sound
These are the foundations every CTO has found
Read them first, learn them well, build your knowledge strong
Five essential books to guide you all along

[Outro]
Tier One awaits your hungry mind
These books will help you lead and find
Your way to technical success
Five authors, one journey to progress

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