About

The Mind Behind the Method

Etienne de Bruin is the founder of 7CTOs, a community dedicated to helping Chief Technology Officers grow into world-class leaders. Born in South Africa and educated at Stellenbosch University, Etienne's journey has taken him from South Africa to Germany and finally to San Diego, where he currently resides with his family.

As a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience, Etienne has navigated the full spectrum of CTO challenges—from writing the first line of code in startups to scaling engineering teams, aligning technology with business objectives, and managing the complex dynamics of executive leadership.

Through his work at 7CTOs, Etienne has created forums, coaching programs, and events that connect technology leaders across the globe. His approach combines technical expertise with a profound understanding of the human elements of leadership, creating spaces where CTOs can find support, guidance, and community.

The Birth of CTONotebook

The idea for CTONotebook emerged from a personal revelation on a flight from New Jersey to San Diego. For hours, Etienne watched tutorial after tutorial on Obsidian, a note-taking app with a devoted following. Despite his determination, the magic of the tool remained elusive.

It wasn't until he discovered Sönke Ahrens' book "How to Take Smart Notes" that everything changed. In what he describes as "an ecstatic convulsion of my brain," Etienne realized he had been approaching knowledge management all wrong—collecting information like "a squirrel gathering nuts" rather than building a living system of interconnected ideas.

This insight transformed his approach to note-taking and, by extension, his effectiveness as a CTO. What began as a personal system evolved into a methodology he now shares with the technology leadership community.

The Zettelkasten Approach for CTOs

CTONotebook.com is built on the foundation of the Zettelkasten method—a note-taking system developed by German sociologist Niklas Luhmann in the 1950s. The method involves creating small, discrete notes (zettels) and linking them to build a network of interconnected ideas.

What makes this approach particularly powerful for CTOs is how it mirrors the complexities of technology leadership. Rather than organizing knowledge in rigid hierarchies (which rarely reflect how we actually think), the Zettelkasten method creates a flexible network of ideas that can be traversed in multiple directions—much like the complex systems CTOs are responsible for building and maintaining.

Through CTONotebook.com, Etienne shares:

1. His actual notes and thought processes — Not polished articles or theoretical frameworks, but the messy, evolving reality of knowledge work as a technology leader
2. Practical examples of connection-building — How seemingly unrelated ideas connect over time to form powerful insights that drive better decision-making
3. Templates and approaches — Tools to help other CTOs build their own knowledge systems, tailored to their unique challenges and contexts

Why This Matters for CTOs

In a role characterized by constant change and increasing complexity, a CTO's most valuable asset isn't specific technical knowledge—it's the ability to learn, synthesize, and adapt.

The traditional approaches to knowledge management—folders, documents, categories—don't reflect how our minds actually work. Our thoughts are interconnected, associative, and contextual. By building a note-taking system that mirrors this natural thought process, CTOs can transform their notebooks from static repositories into dynamic thinking environments—external brains that don't just store thoughts but help develop new ones.

This is particularly crucial for technology leaders who must navigate the intersection of technical, business, and human challenges. The ability to draw connections between these domains, to see patterns that others miss, and to retrieve relevant insights when needed can be the difference between success and failure.

Join the Journey

CTONotebook.com isn't just a resource; it's an invitation to join a community of technology leaders who are transforming how they capture, connect, and leverage knowledge. Through weekly field notes, monthly syntheses, practical templates, and community sharing, Etienne is creating a space where CTOs can develop not just technical knowledge but wisdom—the ability to navigate complex, uncertain situations with clarity and foresight.

The journey from information overload to knowledge synthesis begins with a single note. Are you ready to start?