You’re Not Broken – You’re Just Different: Leadership Lessons from CTO Meri Williams

Have you ever done everything right, followed every rule, hit every target, and still felt like success didn’t feel the way you thought it would?

That’s where this week’s guest, Meri Williams (they/them), started their story.

A seasoned CTO, leadership coach, and Chair at The Lead Developer, Meri has led teams of 300+ people at some of the world’s most recognized tech companies. But their journey wasn’t a straight line, and that’s precisely why it’s so powerful.

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When Career Growth Isn’t Linear

Meri’s path challenges the myth that career progress is a ladder.

They didn’t just climb, they pivoted, stretched, and sometimes stepped back to leap forward.

“I’ve never had a five-year plan. I just made the best choices I could at every intersection – and that’s been enough.”

In the episode, Meri and I explore how career growth often looks more like a winding road than a staircase, and why that’s perfectly okay.

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Scaling, Burnout, and Boundaries

At one point, Meri managed 80 people directly.

They worked long hours, pushed past limits, and burned out.

But that experience gave them a lesson they now pass on to every leader they coach:

You can’t scale sustainably if you sacrifice yourself in the process.

They share how they learned to set boundaries, delegate effectively, and lead with empathy, while maintaining their authenticity.

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Redefining Leadership and the CTO Path

There’s no one way to become a CTO.

For some, it’s about technical mastery.

For others, it’s about people, communication, and strategic influence.

Meri breaks down what they call Career Vectors – six dimensions of leadership growth that help you understand which type of CTO (or leader) you want to become.

“Leadership isn’t just managing people. It’s about knowing which levers to move – technical depth, strategy, delivery, and empathy.”

This framework helps listeners see that management isn’t the only path to growth – and that staying technical can be just as fulfilling.

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Neurodiversity, Health, and Radical Self-Acceptance

One of the most moving parts of Meri’s story is their discovery of being both autistic and ADHD, and learning to see it not as a limitation, but a strength.

“It’s a lot easier to stop shouting at yourself when you realize you’re not broken – you’re just different. Ask a penguin to fly, it can’t. Ask it to swim, and it’s brilliant.”

That realization shaped the way they lead: with deeper empathy, greater patience, and a profound respect for different minds.

They also share their experience living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and how working four days a week allowed them to continue thriving in executive roles while protecting their health.

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The Real Message

This episode is about more than career progression; it’s about redefining what success looks like.

It’s about resilience, self-awareness, and the courage to lead on your own terms.

If you’ve ever felt like your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s this conversation will remind you that maybe it’s not supposed to.

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About Meri Williams

Meri Williams (they/them) is an experienced CTO and technology leader.

They have led organizations of all sizes — from Procter & Gamble and the UK Government Digital Service to award-winning companies like Moo, Monzo, and Healx.

They currently serve as Chair of The Lead Developer conference and run a micro-consultancy, ChromeRose, helping CTOs and engineering leaders level up their management skills.

Meri is also a published author, international speaker, and co-founder of One Goes Up, a micro-charity supporting young women and nonbinary individuals pursuing STEM careers.

🔗 Connect with Meri on LinkedIn

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Listen to the Full Episode

🎙️ From a Woman to a Leader with Limor Bergman Gross

👉 Listen on my website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7kXD7e2ppSM

Because leadership isn’t about fitting in – it’s about leading in the way only you can.

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Join the Conversation

Want more behind-the-scenes stories, leadership lessons, and personal reflections?

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Let’s talk about what it really takes to grow, lead, and thrive in tech together.