From Individual Contributor to Leader

From IC to Leader 🎙 Leadership in cybersecurity isn’t just about a title — although sometimes the title forces the issue. Whether you’re an IC, a manager, or a director, there’s a real shift that has to happen when you move from doing security to leading security . In this episode, Garrett and Shawn dig into the core differences, including the transition from: SecOps worker → SecOps leader AppSec worker → AppSec leader GRC worker → GRC leader Manager → Executive leader (VP, CISO, SVP) We talk about what really changes: Doing it yourself → delegating effectively Delivering results → setting strategy and holding teams accountable Celebrating your own wins → celebrating your team’s wins Being the technical expert → translating security into executive language (revenue, growth, customer trust) If you’re thinking about what the next step looks like in your career — or you’re already in a role where leadership is expected — this conversation is for you. Show timeline: 00:00 ...coming up 00:20 introduction & agenda 02:30 progressing in career 03:55 core differences between an IC and a leader 05:30 doing the work or delegating 07:20 you don't have to be a people manager 08:55 when people management isn't right for you 11:40 transitioning to people manger 14:50 is people management a calling? 17:50 delegating and celebrating 20:40 delivering key results and managing strategic objectives 22:50 climbing the corporate ladder 24:10 the real job of the c-level team, including the CISO 33:50 final thoughts and wrap-up 37:44 b-roll and bloopers Cybersecuritygrowth.com and cybersecuritygrowth.com/webcasts Live on members.cybersecuritygrowth.com bi-weekly, Fridays at 2:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM PT, 6:30 PM GMT in your pod feeds a few days later. 🔐 Hire a cybersecurity consultant or vCISO: https://cybersecuritygrowth.com/services 🟢 Free Blogs, Videos and Podcasts: https://cybersecuritygrowth.com/webca... 👥 Become a Member of our Self-paced Cybersecurity Training & Community: https://members.cybersecuritygrowth.com/ 👕 Get your Cybersecurity Growth Merch: https://cybersecuritygrowth.com/store/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CYBERSECURITY GROWTH SOCIALS Website: https://cybersecuritygrowth.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cybersecgrowth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100066411043800/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cybersecurity-growth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAWN'S MUSIC SOCIALS Website: https://musicbysv.com/ Spartan Valley (Shawn's artist site): https://spartanvalley.band/ Octavate (Shawn's other music project): https://www.octavate.band/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6SN1n1xhWt0ztYaJbGSwgu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbysv_ https://www.instagram.com/spartanvalleysv/ https://www.instagram.com/octavate.band/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicbysv_ https://www.tiktok.com/@octavate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShawnValleMusic https://www.facebook.com/SpartanValley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musicbysv/ X: https://x.com/SpartanValleySV https://x.com/MusicBySV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCtSunTJ6P4SmOp7xVZcwPhg https://www.youtube.com/@UCZJ97aWQYeNXymaJ47wfNCg https://www.youtube.com/@UCkZM2hGPY25KdDV15kSGSgg