IT Leaders

In this episode, "Governance Around AI-Enabled Cybersecurity", Anushree Bag, an expert in cybersecurity and AI governance, offers valuable insights into the importance of governance in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven cybersecurity. She opens with the critical role that governance plays, using real-world examples like the introduction of cane toads in Australia and the 2008 housing collapse to illustrate how lack of regulation can lead to unintended and severe consequences.

Anushree highlights how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity, both as a tool for defense and as a force multiplying the sophistication of attacks. She discusses the rise of AI-powered threats such as enhanced phishing, deepfakes, and advanced malware, all of which present significant challenges for cybersecurity professionals. However, she also emphasizes how AI is being harnessed for good, particularly in areas like enhanced threat detection, automated response, and predictive analytics.

Throughout the episode, Anushree explores the balance between leveraging AI's strengths while maintaining governance, ethical practices, and mitigating biases. She touches on the importance of clear policies, regular audits, and creating an ethics committee to ensure responsible AI usage within organizations. Anushree also addresses the challenges of bias in AI and the risks of inadequate governance, particularly in areas like job descriptions and risk assessments.

The episode serves as an essential guide for IT leaders, shedding light on both the opportunities and risks of AI in cybersecurity and how to effectively govern its use to protect organizations from evolving threats.

In this episode titled "Empathy-Driven Success: Bridging the Human and Technological Divide", leadership coach Loren Sanders delves into the crucial intersection of empathy and technology in the workplace. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development, Loren addresses the common disconnect between IT professionals and non-technical staff, emphasizing the need for empathy in bridging this divide. She highlights how IT teams often feel undervalued until problems arise, and then communication barriers create frustration on both sides.

Through interactive exercises and thought-provoking discussions, Loren engages the audience in exploring how biases, micromanagement, and a lack of self-awareness hinder effective collaboration. She introduces the concept of the "human operating system," which represents the unique perspectives and behaviors individuals bring to their work. Loren advocates for a culture where feedback, empathy, and communication are prioritized, urging IT leaders to become better translators between technical jargon and business needs.

The episode is packed with actionable insights, from understanding personal biases to fostering empathy as a leadership skill. Loren’s engaging presentation style, mixed with humor and real-world examples, offers practical ways for leaders to enhance collaboration, reduce workplace frustration, and build stronger, more connected teams. This is a must-listen for IT leaders looking to improve both their technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring that technology works throughpeople, not to them.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Seidt, the Executive Director and CIO for the City of Louisville, who has been with the city government for over 22 years. Chris shares his remarkable journey from a police dispatcher to leading the city's IT department, highlighting the importance of leadership that’s rooted in experience, community impact, and adaptability.

Chris delves into the complexities of managing IT for a large municipal government, from handling 216 million annual cyber events to rolling out innovative initiatives like the Connected Parks program. He discusses the challenges of working with outdated government software, the significance of digital inclusion, and how his team is working to bridge the digital divide in Louisville.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for IT leaders, offering lessons on the importance of flexibility, the power of leading by example, and the value of aligning technology with community needs. Whether you’re interested in public sector IT, leadership, or urban technology initiatives, this conversation with Chris Seidt provides practical takeaways and an inspiring look at how tech leadership can drive real change.

In this engaging episode, we explore the art of effective communication with Alex Perry, a seasoned communication expert and solopreneur. Alex brings her passion for communication to the forefront, offering listeners practical strategies to enhance their interactions with leadership teams. She emphasizes the importance of understanding both professional priorities and personal motivators, ensuring that communication is tailored to resonate with each leader’s unique perspective.

Alex shares the "What, Why, Impact" model, a powerful framework for structuring conversations that foster clarity and empathy. She also discusses the common pitfalls of role-based communication, illustrated with real-world examples like Target's failed expansion into Canada, underscoring the critical need for alignment between IT and leadership.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to refine their communication skills, especially when navigating the complex dynamics of leadership. Whether you're a tech leader, manager, or aspiring communicator, Alex's insights will help you craft messages that not only inform but also inspire action.

What do you do when you’re stuck—whether it’s in a project, a team dynamic, or your own leadership approach? In this episode, Shelisa Gautreaux, a seasoned HR leader and talent strategist, shares practical tools to help IT leaders and professionals break through roadblocks and enhance their effectiveness in leadership and collaboration.

Shelisa explores key concepts from Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” and Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset, illustrating how shifting your mindset can unlock new solutions. She also introduces Feedforward, a method for gathering constructive input to expand thinking and improve decision-making. With a mix of real-world examples and interactive exercises, she challenges leaders to reframe challenges, stay curious instead of judgmental, and ask the right questions to drive progress.

Whether you’re navigating a tough project, working through team dynamics, or looking to improve your leadership approach, this episode is packed with insights on getting unstuck and moving forward with confidence.

🎧 Join the conversation and take away strategies to boost your leadership effectiveness today!