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:

1. SecOps worker → SecOps leader
2. AppSec worker → AppSec leader
3. GRC worker → GRC leader
4. Manager → Executive leader (VP, CISO, SVP)

We talk about what really changes:

1. Doing it yourself → delegating effectively
2. Delivering results → setting strategy and holding teams accountable
3. Celebrating your own wins → celebrating your team’s wins
4. 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:

1. 00:00 ...coming up
2. 00:20 introduction & agenda
3. 02:30 progressing in career
4. 03:55 core differences between an IC and a leader
5. 05:30 doing the work or delegating
6. 07:20 you don't have to be a people manager
7. 08:55 when people management isn't right for you
8. 11:40 transitioning to people manger
9. 14:50 is people management a calling?
10. 17:50 delegating and celebrating
11. 20:40 delivering key results and managing strategic objectives
12. 22:50 climbing the corporate ladder
13. 24:10 the real job of the c-level team, including the CISO
14. 33:50 final thoughts and wrap-up
15. 37:44 b-roll and bloopers
16. Cybersecuritygrowth.com and cybersecuritygrowth.com/webcasts
17. 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