Episode Summary:

Most marketers learn executive communication the hard way. Rob Sobers, CMO at Varonis, joins Gianna and Charles to share what he’s figured out along the way, how to lead with the answer, give data real context, and know when to stop talking.

He explains how to tailor communication for CEOs, boards, and peers, and why too much detail can make you sound less senior, not more informed. The conversation also covers the habits that build trust over time: using templates for consistency, setting clear values so teams can move without micromanagement, and preparing for the “most obvious objections” before they’re raised.

👉 Listen to the full episode for practical examples, career lessons, and Rob’s take on the one buzzword he’d retire from cybersecurity marketing for good.

About Rob:

Rob Sobers is the Chief Marketing Officer at Varonis, a leader in data security. He began his career as a software engineer before moving into marketing, giving him a unique perspective on how technical and business teams communicate. At Varonis, Rob leads global marketing strategy and focuses on helping organizations understand and reduce data risk.

He’s also the co-author of Learn Ruby the Hard Way and a longtime advocate for practical, transparent communication inside complex organizations.

Follow Rob Sobers on LinkedIn

🔗 Links & Resources:

Varonis: varonis.com

Dave Kellogg’s Blog (Kellblog): kellblog.com

Carilu Dietrich’s Post on Executive Communication: LinkedIn article

Elevate Your Marketing Dashboard: How to Impress the CEO, CRO, and CFO — Carilu Dietrich (Substack)

Wes Kao’s “15 Principles for Managing Up”: weskao.com

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Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, Instagram page, or podcast LinkedIn page.

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How to Communicate Like an Executive—Lessons from Varonis CMO Rob Sobers