Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right in your career, and still can’t figure out why it doesn’t feel like success?
In this powerful episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sit down with Meri Williams, a seasoned CTO, leadership coach, and Chair of The Lead Developer conference, to unpack what real leadership and career Growth look like when your path isn’t linear.
Meri opens up about scaling teams from 30 to 300, managing Burnout, discovering their neurodivergence, and redefining success as a tech leader.
Their story is honest, inspiring, and full of insights for anyone who’s ever felt “different” in the workplace.
✨ You’ll learn:
💡 Why career growth isn’t linear, and how to build a career that fits you
🔥 How to scale organizations without burning out
⚙️ The real path to becoming a CTO (and the skills that matter most)
🧭 Why management isn’t the only way to grow, and how to thrive as an IC
💬 How domain expertise, curiosity, and empathy fuel great leadership
🌈 What it means to lead with neurodiversity and chronic illness
🐧 Why you’re not broken, you’re just different (the “penguin” lesson that will stick with you)
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow in tech leadership without losing yourself, this episode will shift how you see your potential.
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⏱ Chapters
00:00 – “You’re Not Broken — You’re Just Different”
00:20 – Limor’s story: stepping back to leap forward
02:50 – Meeting Meri: from the stage to the studio
03:38 – Meri’s journey to becoming a CTO
04:52 – Scaling the Government Digital Service to 300 people
06:40 – Lessons from burnout and managing 80 people
10:25 – How to become a CTO: skills, trust, and opportunities
12:33 – Different types of CTO roles
14:40 – How domain expertise shapes leadership success
17:07 – Why career growth isn’t linear
18:36 – Regrets and learning from early management
21:20 – Discovering neurodiversity: autism and ADHD
24:36 – Diagnosis, self-awareness, and relief
26:36 – Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
28:08 – The power of the 4-day CTO schedule
30:31 – Resilience, stubbornness, and drive
31:03 – The LeadDev community & leadership lessons
32:44 – Where to find Meri online
33:20 – Final message + next episode teaser
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🎧 Listen to the full podcast:
👉 https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
📘 Get my free career success guide:
👉 https://limorbergman.com/careersteps/
🚀 Join the Accelerator waitlist:
👉 https://limorbergman.com/accelerator
📰 Read my Substack stories:
👉 https://limorbergman.substack.com/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly leadership & career growth episodes:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman
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👤 Guest: Meri Williams
Meri Williams is an experienced CTO and leader of Technology organizations. They currently lead technology teams and coach executives through their micro-consultancy ChromeRose.
They’ve held senior leadership roles across Procter & Gamble, Government Digital Service, MOO, Monzo, and Healx.
A published author and international speaker, Meri chairs The Lead Developer conference, advises Kindred Capital, and co-runs the micro-charity One Goes Up, supporting young women and enby folks pursuing STEM careers.
🔗 Links
🌐 LeadDev: https://leaddev.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meriwilliams/
