36 min

Cyber leaders: Stop being your own worst career enemy. Here’s how‪.‬ Into the Breach by IBM

    • Technology

Technically proficient people often face challenges when looking for (or being elevated to) leadership roles.

In the cyber realm, this can become even murkier. We have hackers, who often view rules as guideposts (or even challenges, for that matter); incident responders and threat intelligence officers who tend to have great regard for rules and a well-developed (if not regimented) approach to unraveling mysteries; and product engineers who are astute at design and technical issue resolution.

The net is this: Cyber brainiacs are really good at solving problems. And less good at inspiring (or even allowing) others to solve them.

In this episode, host Mitch Mayne talks with Brian Donovan, author of "Leadership Is Changing the Game - The Transition from Technical Expert to Leader." They explore some of the critical components of cyber leadership—including Donovan’s perspective that the trick isn’t to develop an entirely new skill set—or superpower, as he puts it—but to hone your existing superpower and learn how to influence and inspire.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get out of your own way and transition into cyber leadership, this may be the episode for you.

Take a listen—and venture Into the Breach.

Things to listen for:
[00:05 - 01:20] Introduction[03:05 - 05:34] Mitchs' journey to leadership in the cyber world[06:07 - 07:42] Challenges technically smart people might run into when stepping into a leadership role[08:24 - 12:43] Turning your strengths into superpowers in leadership[18:09 - 20:50] Imposter syndrome within cyber leadership[29:02 - 31:10] What Brian learned from his best manager[32:20 - 34:49] Advice to be a great leader in cyber

Technically proficient people often face challenges when looking for (or being elevated to) leadership roles.

In the cyber realm, this can become even murkier. We have hackers, who often view rules as guideposts (or even challenges, for that matter); incident responders and threat intelligence officers who tend to have great regard for rules and a well-developed (if not regimented) approach to unraveling mysteries; and product engineers who are astute at design and technical issue resolution.

The net is this: Cyber brainiacs are really good at solving problems. And less good at inspiring (or even allowing) others to solve them.

In this episode, host Mitch Mayne talks with Brian Donovan, author of "Leadership Is Changing the Game - The Transition from Technical Expert to Leader." They explore some of the critical components of cyber leadership—including Donovan’s perspective that the trick isn’t to develop an entirely new skill set—or superpower, as he puts it—but to hone your existing superpower and learn how to influence and inspire.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get out of your own way and transition into cyber leadership, this may be the episode for you.

Take a listen—and venture Into the Breach.

Things to listen for:
[00:05 - 01:20] Introduction[03:05 - 05:34] Mitchs' journey to leadership in the cyber world[06:07 - 07:42] Challenges technically smart people might run into when stepping into a leadership role[08:24 - 12:43] Turning your strengths into superpowers in leadership[18:09 - 20:50] Imposter syndrome within cyber leadership[29:02 - 31:10] What Brian learned from his best manager[32:20 - 34:49] Advice to be a great leader in cyber

36 min

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