From Individual Contributor to Leader

From Individual Contributor to Leader

From Cybersecurity Growth by Cybersecurity Growth

December 23, 2025 · 49 min · Episode 44

About this episode

The episode discusses the transition from individual contributor roles to leadership positions in cybersecurity.

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 in this episode

Hosts: Garrett, Shawn

Topics covered

  • leadership in cybersecurity
  • career progression
  • transitioning from IC to leader
  • delegation
  • strategic management
  • celebrating team wins

Keywords

  • cybersecurity
  • leadership
  • career development
  • delegation
  • strategic objectives
  • team management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SecOps, AppSec, GRC

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