As I reflect on my experiences as a consultant, I realize that being vulnerable is hard, but it’s also essential for growth and learning. I wish I had read Getting Naked earlier in my career because it would have helped me better understand clients’ needs, communicate more effectively, and work smarter.

As someone who fell into the security field by accident, I’ve learned that passion, empathy for other teams, and understanding of business priorities are essential soft skills for success in this industry. Through my experience, I’ve come to realize that being able to convey these traits can make a candidate unstoppable.

As I reflect on my year, I realize that leading several groups within an Information Security team was a significant departure from being deeply focused on technical details. Despite not meeting my resolution to be more healthy and lose weight, I made progress as a better business partner and took time off to focus on completing my private pilot’s license.