Here's how you can navigate feedback and guidance after failing in a Cybersecurity role.

Here's what I would do to navigate feedback and guidance after failing in a cybersecurity role: 1. Seek Constructive Feedback: Actively ask for detailed feedback to understand what went wrong. 2. Embrace Learning: View the failure as a learning opportunity to improve your skills and knowledge. 3. Set Goals: Create actionable steps based on the feedback to address weaknesses. 4. Find Mentors: Seek guidance from experienced mentors in the field. 5. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and resilience to bounce back stronger.

Reality can be difficult for some, but not all feedback is good feedback. People often in feeling some type of mood give harsh feedback. The very first thing I suggest to people when they've failed is to seek clarity. Don't accept one bad opinion, seek other feedback as well and see where you're failing consistently and target those areas for improvement. You may have a negative boss, and they might not value your work. But your work in the right place could be invaluable. So like marketing, you are your own product and your product needs to be in front of the right audience. Once you've sought clarity in where you are failing, its time to accept the facts and decide on your own where your values are and if the changes are in line.

I was lucky that early on my career someone told me a secret to solving a problem or a failure, in this case something that went wrong and reality set in. The secret was this - you cannot win an ultra marathon by sprinting, rather by persistence. Typically when I had made a mistake or had come back with a problem he always challenged me to not just come back with a problem or chastised for the mistake but also at least 3 solutions to solving it for good. Think of the greatest inventors of our time - hope many attempts did it take to create a light bulb? Yes, you can accept the reality a mistake or error has been made. Question is this: What are the 3 solutions you can come up with to solve it?

Recognizing and accepting the reality of failure is crucial. In cybersecurity, mistakes can have significant implications, but acknowledging these errors objectively is the first step toward improvement. Understand that failure doesn't define your worth; instead, it offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen your skills and approach.

Actively seek feedback from peers, supervisors, and mentors. Constructive criticism provides insights into what went wrong and offers different perspectives on how to address and prevent similar issues in the future. Open, honest communication is key to personal and professional growth.

Thoroughly analyze the mistakes that led to failure. Identify the root causes and contributing factors. This detailed examination helps in understanding not just what failed but why it failed, which is essential for developing effective corrective strategies.

Use the failure as a catalyst for updating and expanding your skill set. Whether it's gaining new certifications, attending training sessions, or learning about emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies, continuous learning is vital in this rapidly evolving field.

Put the lessons learned into practice by making necessary changes in your approach. Adjust your strategies, improve your processes, and apply the feedback you received. Implementing these changes demonstrates your commitment to growth and resilience.

Move forward with a positive mindset. Failure is a stepping stone to success when you learn from it and apply those lessons. Stay focused on your goals, maintain your confidence, and keep striving for excellence in your cybersecurity career.