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Soft Side of Cyber

Where's your cert for emotional intelligence?

Published about 2 years ago • 1 min read

How often have you been in a room full of cybersecurity people, only to observe them mocking those who are "social" or "non-technical" in their skills?

We don't train on it.

We don't seem to value it.

So why bother talking about emotional intelligence and social skills? It's because we believe it's at the core of actually getting things done in cybersecurity. It's the intangible yet valued things that separate the effective from the ineffective.

In this week's article, Frank explores emotional intelligence and why it's a crucial skill for anyone in a leadership position in cybersecurity.

In cybersecurity, like many IT disciplines, technical prowess often takes center stage. Emotional intelligence (EI) in the field, especially in leadership roles, cannot be overstated. Cybersecurity leaders who excel in EI not only navigate complex technical challenges but also foster trust, collaboration, and resilience within their teams.

Emotional intelligence encompasses a range of skills, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. These qualities are particularly crucial in cybersecurity leadership, where human interactions and relationships play a pivotal role in success. Leaders with high EI understand their own strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to make informed decisions and navigate stressful situations with composure.

Self-regulation is another key aspect of EI. Leaders must remain calm under pressure and adapt to unforeseen challenges when things get stressful. Changes may be happening quickly, like during an incident or they may be happening slowly, such as a major budget cut season. By managing their emotions effectively, cybersecurity leaders can maintain focus, make rational decisions, and inspire confidence in their teams.

Helpful resources for you to check out

This section breaks down some relevant resources across the web for you to check out.

👉 Ted Talk: "Why aren't we more compassionate” A TED talk from renowned author Daniel Goleman on empathy and how to get better at it.

👉 Article: "How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence" A quick breakdown from the Harvard Professional and Executive Development group on how to improve your emotional intelligence, with a particular focus on those in leadership positions.

Action Item

Take some time to ask 3 different people how they feel your emotional intelligence is. Ask them to note any strengths. What about areas that you could improve? If they have specific examples to share with you, that's even better.

Try to jot down some notes about the feedback you're getting and put a plan into action on how you can improve. Are there any consistencies across these 3 people's feedback?

Hint: These don't have to be colleagues.

If you appreciate this content, please take a minute and share it on social media or forward it to a colleague.

Keep growing,

- Rob & Frank

Soft Side of Cyber

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