Field Notes: New Year Catch-Up, Coffee, And Team DNA
Mon Jan 26 2026
In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Eric Brown and Nick Mellem dive deep into organizational psychology and team dynamics with a refreshingly honest look at how IT Audit Labs is using assessments like CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, and PRINT to decode their team. This isn't fluffy HR talk—it's strategic workforce optimization that directly impacts how security teams respond to threats, collaborate under pressure, and execute on complex projects.
Eric and Nick discuss why understanding your team's natural strengths, motivators, and triggers is just as critical as deploying the right tech stack. From reducing meeting bloat to being more intentional with time and resources, they share real-world lessons on building a culture where people operate in their zone of genius. Plus, they tackle the "what tool would you deploy first" scenario—spoiler: it's not what you think.
🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED:
Why organizational assessments (CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, PRINT) matter for security teamsHow to be more intentional with meetings, time, and team collaborationFirst tools to deploy in a new security environment (MFA, YubiKeys, Veronus)The shift from reactive security to proactive team alignmentUsing AI tools like Gemini to streamline communication and decision-making#CliftonStrengths #Cybersecurity #TeamBuilding #ITLeadership #SecurityCulture #CISOLife #InfoSec #OrganizationalPsychology
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In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Eric Brown and Nick Mellem dive deep into organizational psychology and team dynamics with a refreshingly honest look at how IT Audit Labs is using assessments like CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, and PRINT to decode their team. This isn't fluffy HR talk—it's strategic workforce optimization that directly impacts how security teams respond to threats, collaborate under pressure, and execute on complex projects. Eric and Nick discuss why understanding your team's natural strengths, motivators, and triggers is just as critical as deploying the right tech stack. From reducing meeting bloat to being more intentional with time and resources, they share real-world lessons on building a culture where people operate in their zone of genius. Plus, they tackle the "what tool would you deploy first" scenario—spoiler: it's not what you think. 🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED: Why organizational assessments (CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, PRINT) matter for security teamsHow to be more intentional with meetings, time, and team collaborationFirst tools to deploy in a new security environment (MFA, YubiKeys, Veronus)The shift from reactive security to proactive team alignmentUsing AI tools like Gemini to streamline communication and decision-making#CliftonStrengths #Cybersecurity #TeamBuilding #ITLeadership #SecurityCulture #CISOLife #InfoSec #OrganizationalPsychology