What if failure is not the thing that holds your career back, but one of the things that helps you grow into a stronger leader? In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer talks with Stephen Scharf, a Chief Information Security Officer with more than 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, about failure, managerial courage, communication, and career growth.

Stephen shares candid stories from his own leadership journey, including early career mistakes, high-pressure decisions, and the moments that helped prepare him for the C-suite. He also explains why leaders need the courage to make decisions under pressure, adapt their communication style to different audiences, manage stress, and build relationships with people who can advocate for them when opportunity arises.

This conversation is full of practical insight for leaders, early-career professionals, recent graduates, and anyone trying to build a meaningful career without pretending the path is always perfect.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.