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
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CYBERSECURITY GROWTH SOCIALS

Website: https://cybersecuritygrowth.com

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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

From Individual Contributor to Leader