This past week, I had the opportunity to dive alongside my son, JeanCarlo, as he earned his Open Water scuba certification in the Cayman Islands. We averaged two to three dives a day and explored some incredible sites together.
We also shared the stage at the Descent Cyber Conference, where he asked the questions during a fireside chat and I had the privilege of answering them sharing my experience with securing the NFL and leading through the era of Ai.
As a father, it was a special experience.
That said, as I reflect on the week, I keep coming back to one thought.
Whether you’re learning to dive or leading through uncertainty, confidence doesn’t come from being fearless. It comes from preparation.
Before every dive, there are equipment checks, planning, communication, and an understanding of the environment. The same is true in cybersecurity. The successful outcomes are often the result of preparation long before the moment arrives.
What made the week especially meaningful was watching the next generation build that confidence for themselves. Not because someone told them they were ready, but because they put in the work to become ready.
That lesson applies far beyond scuba diving.
As leaders, parents, mentors, and teammates, one of the greatest gifts we can give others is not confidence itself. It is helping them build the skills and experience that confidence comes from.
What lessons from outside of work have shaped your approach to leadership?
#Leadership #Cybersecurity #Growth
