In this episode of The New CISO, Steve is joined by guest Brad Sexton, Chief Information Officer, and Information Security Officer at Terrible’s.

After having issues with a Dot Matrix printer, Brad was inspired to transition from a career in education to IT. Through conflict, change, and self-reflection, Brad has become the effective leader he is today. Tune into today’s episode to learn more about Brad’s career journey, the consequences of “ego,” and how to leave a job gracefully.

Listen to Steve and Brad discuss how leaders can walk the fine line between confidence and arrogance and the right motives for becoming a leader:

Meet Brad (1:44)

Host Steve Moore introduces our guest today, Brad Sexton, who started working at Terrible’s in Las Vegas last April.

Brad shares that before becoming a CISO, he worked at a boys and girls type club where they all shared one printer. Wanting to be able to print from different areas of the office, Brad took on the task of updating the printer to fit his office’s needs. Brad has been in IT ever since.

Next Steps (5:09)

Brad reveals the next steps of his career transition. His boss at the education center asked Brad for IT-related help. Brad was then moved into the IT department and used this moment to finish his education.

During this time, Brad could see tech from a bigger picture and eventually was designing a forklift upgrade for the theater. He started working with routers and did more and more. By the time Brad settled in Vegas, he could use his experience to manage teams successfully.

Checking The Ego (11:13)

Steve presses Brad on the lessons he learned from his first IT job. 

Brad believes that his ego got in the way of his ability to do his job. After many years, Brad finally understood what he could have done differently. Thankfully, his boss knew he had potential and was willing to have a difficult conversation that resonated with him later.

The Clues (16:30)

Brad explores the clues of a person with an ego problem. In addition, Brad explains that leaders should always create a safe space for their employees to communicate with them.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s helpful when leaders can help their employees identify theirs. Ultimately, there is a “fine line between confidence and arrogance,” and leaders must have the confidence to articulate challenging feedback.

The Right Motives (25:54)

Steve presses Brad on what his motives were for becoming a leader. Brad reflects that he wanted a sphere of influence and recognized that he could make more of a difference in a higher position.

Brad suggests always knowing your “why” before approaching leadership roles.

The Wrong Fit (29:53)

Brad worked in government and realized two things. He was in the wrong place, and they didn’t want them there either. Knowing there was tension from the beginning made Brad’s time in this role very challenging.

Brad learned later that this company did not want anyone in that position, but he was the most qualified. Now, Brad understands the importance of finding the right fit for a role and considers that when interviewing future colleagues.

Mutual Contact (34:58)

Brad and Steve discuss a mutual connection named David, who is an individual who helped Brad move into the casino gaming space. Brad appreciates that David took a chance on him and is still in touch.

Relationships are critical as you advance in your career because no one knows everything.

Leaving Gracefully (40:04)

Brad shares his tips on leaving a job gracefully. He suggests managing the emotion that you let someone down. 

Having an open communication line with your boss and feeling comfortable articulating your goals makes this process less challenging—the key is to cultivate that relationship before it gets to this point.

The New CISO (47:50)

To Brad, being a new CISO means understanding your staff and the challenges that they’ve had. You then must build relationships in the business.