Even if you're not a Leader, be a leader, and you'll become a Leader

Leadership is not about a job title or the size of your office. It’s a mindset, a set of behaviors, and a commitment to personal growth that you can develop long before you officially step into a leadership role. Even if you’re not currently a leader by title, you can begin to act and perform like one – and by doing so, you’ll eventually become one.

Take Ownership of Your Work

A key component of leadership is ownership. No matter your current role, you can start by taking full ownership of the tasks and responsibilities assigned to you. This doesn’t just mean completing your work on time – it means understanding how your contributions fit into the broader goals of your team and organization. It’s about being proactive, looking for ways to improve processes, and anticipating challenges before they arise.

When you adopt this mindset, people will naturally start to see you as someone who takes initiative and is dependable. As Alexandra Landegger wisely notes, “Always remember to put on your own oxygen mask first. Sometimes, that means taking a training or taking a vacation, but you've got to care for yourself so you can care for your team and your mission.” In other words, a leader ensures they are equipped to handle responsibility while staying resilient. By putting yourself in a position to perform at your best, you can start building your leadership foundation.

Be a Mentor, Even if You’re Not a Manager

Mentorship is a powerful tool that helps you grow as a leader, regardless of your formal position. Start by identifying a couple of people on your team who show potential and take them under your wing. Teach them what you know, share best practices, and encourage them to develop their skills. Through mentorship, you’ll not only help others grow, but you’ll also refine your own leadership skills.

As you guide others, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to lead. Before long, people will start to turn to you for advice, reinforcing your role as an informal leader within your team and you will have built substantive relationships that will help sustain you.

Duane Gran adds to this mentorship relationship: “Stop delegating tasks and start delegating authority. You will be surprised how people rise to the challenge when you trust them.” Empowering others to take on responsibilities fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual growth.

Find Your Own Mentor

While mentoring others, it’s just as important to seek guidance from a mentor and sponsor who can help you on your own leadership journey. Find someone whose leadership style you admire and work closely with them. Learn from their experiences, absorb their wisdom, and ask for feedback on your own growth. As Alexandra Landegger puts it, “A mentor teaches you how to walk down a hallway faster, more gracefully. A sponsor will build doors that you can then use to exit that hallway and find a new more golden hallway going forward.”

Mentorship provides not only practical insights but also opens doors to new opportunities, giving you the confidence and clarity to step into leadership roles when the time comes.

FWIW, I’ve learned almost as much about effective leadership from horrible leaders as I have from great leaders. Learning what not to do is as important as learning the right way to do things. The good news is that no matter what kind of leader you have today, you can learn something from them 😉

Adopt a Collaborative Leadership Style

When you’re not yet in a formal leadership role, a collaborative approach can make leadership feel more accessible and less intimidating. Start by working closely with your team, offering to take the lead on small projects, and fostering a sense of teamwork. Collaboration builds trust, and when your colleagues see you as someone who brings people together and guides them toward shared goals, your leadership presence will naturally grow.

Remember that collaboration is NOT telling someone what to do or how to do it. Sincere caring and empathy for your team will make them more responsive to your requests. Steve Gentry emphasizes, “Demonstrating self-care is great for setting the example to your team to SHOW them where priorities lie and it's not the job over their life, health, family, etc.” When you lead with empathy and collaboration, your team will not only respect your leadership but also feel more invested in their own roles and in the success of the group as a whole.

Project Yourself as a Leader

Your personal brand is a powerful tool for leadership growth. Begin to project yourself as a leader – both in how you carry yourself and in how you communicate your achievements. Update your resume, LinkedIn profile, and other online media to reflect your leadership qualities. Even if you’re not officially in a leadership role, highlight the ways you’ve taken ownership of projects, mentored others, and contributed to team success.

You may not feel like an effective leader at first, but as you begin to act like one, you’ll start to build the confidence to actually become one. The key is to start small. Find a few people to mentor, take the lead on projects, and speak up in team meetings. Over time, as you gain confidence, you’ll naturally grow into a leadership role.

Develop Business Acumen and Strategic Thinking

Leadership in IT and cybersecurity is not just about technical expertise. As Larry Rosen wisely states, “At the CISO level, I honestly think Business Acumen is #1 these days.” This means understanding how your technical knowledge fits into the broader business strategy and being able to communicate its value to senior leadership.

Focus on improving your business skills alongside your technical ones. Attend business-focused trainings, read up on industry trends, and learn how to articulate the ROI of your projects. When you can think strategically and translate technical details into business benefits, you’ll set yourself apart as a leader who understands the bigger picture.

Embrace Failure as Part of Growth

As you develop your leadership skills, you’ll inevitably make mistakes. But remember, failure is a natural part of growth. The key is to learn from those mistakes and move on. Don’t dwell on them or see them as personal shortcomings. Instead, use them as opportunities to improve.

Leadership is often forged through overcoming obstacles, setbacks, and challenges. Whether a setback comes from competition, internal strife, market disruptions, or unforeseen crises, these pressures compel leaders to think creatively, build resilience, and develop strategic approaches. Leaders who embrace failure as part of the growth process tend to foster innovation, take calculated risks, and promote a culture of resilience within their organizations. Setbacks also teach valuable lessons in humility and persistence. Leaders who can navigate emotional trials during high-stakes decisions or challenging moments are better positioned to maintain their focus and guide their teams through adversity.

As you continue to practice leadership, you’ll build stronger relationships, gain more confidence, and position yourself for leadership roles in the future. Aman S. offers sage advice: “Pursue excellence, not success. Don’t chase the aspect of cyber that pays the most – focus on the domains you find most interesting, and execute those brilliantly.”

Conclusion

Leadership is not a title – it’s a mindset. Even if you’re not in a formal leadership role, you can start developing your leadership skills today by taking ownership of your work, mentoring others, seeking out mentors, and collaborating with your team. Over time, you’ll gain the confidence, skills, and relationships needed to step into leadership roles. Remember to project yourself as a leader, act like one, and focus on continuous growth. Eventually, others will recognize your leadership qualities, and you’ll naturally transition into leadership positions.

If your goal is to become a senior leader in an organization, such as a CIO or CISO, that shouldn't be your primary focus. Many fall into this trap. Instead, concentrate on enhancing security, excelling in your area of expertise, and developing strong leadership skills. By doing so, you may achieve your penultimate goal.

As you take on more leadership responsibilities, always remember to care for yourself and those around you, learning and growing from every opportunity that comes your way. After all, great leaders are not just defined by their roles – they’re defined by their actions and the impact they have on others.

Thanks to David Spark , the CISO Series , and the panelists and guests from "Hacking Leadership Skills" who provided insightful quotes for this edition of the newsletter.