How a CTO Can Use Red Teams to Transform Decision-Making

Miles Thurman, Chief of Staff at SparkCognition, offers a fresh perspective on how Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) can leverage Red Teams to improve decision-making. In this conversation, we discuss how the approach isn’t just for testing security systems but can be applied across all business decisions, transforming how leaders make crucial calls and avoid blind spots.

Key Takeaways

  • A CTO’s role isn’t just about technical leadership; it’s about fostering a culture that values collaboration and diverse opinions.

  • Transparent communication and consistent alignment with the executive team can prevent major surprises and missteps.

  • Embracing a “what could go wrong” mindset in decision-making leads to more robust and resilient strategies.

Notable Quotes

  1. "It's good to understand how people work... if you can understand how each individual C-Suite person works, that just makes your life so much easier, especially if you need numbers from the CFO or sales data from the CRO."

  2. "Sales Ops are like the heartbeat of what's going on in the organization and they're fueling everything."

  3. "When you do board meetings, I would have a dry run with the executive team and then I would pretend to be the board and ask questions... putting those reps in beforehand help them feel much more comfortable."

Real-World Applications (with Examples)

  • Use Red Teams for Strategy Testing
    Example: Before a major product launch, a CTO runs a Red Team to identify potential risks or overlooked opportunities, ensuring the product is ready for market.

  • Foster Open Communication
    Example: Miles supports his principal by making sure he’s not blindsided. This proactive approach could also apply to senior teams, preventing sudden issues during high-stakes meetings.

  • Push Back and Challenge Ideas
    Example: During a quarterly review, a CTO uses a Red Team to challenge the current strategy and expose areas that need more attention or adjustment.

The Red Team approach isn’t just about counteracting threats—it’s about ensuring well-rounded, informed decisions that lead to better outcomes. As Miles Thurman demonstrates, this method helps CTOs and leaders at all levels make smarter choices, challenge assumptions, and prevent blind spots, creating a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

 
 

00:24 Miles Thurman, Chief of Staff at Spark Cognition

01:31 Understanding the Role of Chief of Staff in Different Organizations

03:28 The Importance of Leadership Alignment in an Organization

03:57 The Evolving Role of Chief of Staff in Corporate America

08:54 The Role of Chief of Staff in Product Launches and Sales Operations

12:12 The Challenges and Strategies of Sales in a Business

18:49 The Importance of Product Management in Business Development

23:44 The Role of Chief of Staff in Business Development and Channel Partnerships

26:10 Career Development and Future Prospects for Chiefs of Staff

28:12 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff

29:43 Conclusion

Links Mentioned:

 

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.

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