Most developers wait to be told what to build.
They take tickets, ship features, and keep things clean, fast, and reliable.
Then they watch someone else get promoted.
Here's the truth: Execution doesn't earn influence. Ownership does.
It’s not about working harder or writing better code. It's about how you show up.
Execution mindset:
"Tell me what to build, and I'll build it"
Waits for requirements to be handed down
Measures success by tickets closed
Ownership mindset:
"Here's the problem, here's my recommendation, here's why"
Surfaces risk before it turns into a fire
Measures success by outcomes delivered
Leadership doesn't promote executors. They promote people who think like owners.
The shift: Stop asking "what should I build?" Start asking "what problem are we actually solving?"
Watch today's video where I break down:
How I went from a reliable coder to a CTO by shifting one behaviour
The exact language patterns that signal ownership
Three tactical moves you can make this week to stop being an order-taker
Tomorrow: Mistake #2 - You're writing code fast, but you're burning trust. I'll show you why speed without sustainability is a career trap.
-Karell aka The Serious CTO
Book a call here