From Technician to Leader: The Missing Skill in Cybersecurity
Thu Feb 05 2026
Cybersecurity doesn’t just have a talent gap — it has a leadership gap.
In this episode of The Cybersecurity Mentors Podcast, we sit down with Dave Berke, retired Marine Corps officer, former Top Gun instructor, and Chief Development Officer at Echelon Front, to talk about why leadership is missing across IT and cybersecurity — and why technical excellence alone is no longer enough.
Dave shares lessons learned from combat aviation, military leadership, and years of teaching leadership alongside Jocko Willink — and explains why leadership is a skill that must be learned, not a trait you’re born with.
In this episode, we cover:
Why the “best technician” often struggles as a leaderThe leadership gap across cybersecurity and IT teamsWhy leadership isn’t about titles or authorityHow introverts and technical professionals can still become strong leadersThe role of humility, ownership, and teamwork in healthy security teamsHow to lead from any position — even without a leadership titleWhy developing leaders is the ultimate test of leadershipIf you work in cybersecurity, IT, engineering, or any technical field — this conversation will change how you think about your career growth.
Come hang out with us in the Cybersecurity Mentors Skool community. It’s free to join.
Support the show
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Cybersecurity doesn’t just have a talent gap — it has a leadership gap. In this episode of The Cybersecurity Mentors Podcast, we sit down with Dave Berke, retired Marine Corps officer, former Top Gun instructor, and Chief Development Officer at Echelon Front, to talk about why leadership is missing across IT and cybersecurity — and why technical excellence alone is no longer enough. Dave shares lessons learned from combat aviation, military leadership, and years of teaching leadership alongside Jocko Willink — and explains why leadership is a skill that must be learned, not a trait you’re born with. In this episode, we cover: Why the “best technician” often struggles as a leaderThe leadership gap across cybersecurity and IT teamsWhy leadership isn’t about titles or authorityHow introverts and technical professionals can still become strong leadersThe role of humility, ownership, and teamwork in healthy security teamsHow to lead from any position — even without a leadership titleWhy developing leaders is the ultimate test of leadershipIf you work in cybersecurity, IT, engineering, or any technical field — this conversation will change how you think about your career growth. Come hang out with us in the Cybersecurity Mentors Skool community. It’s free to join. Support the show