Find My Catalyst Podcast

The Accidental CISO (AC) is an anonymous voice in cybersecurity who stumbled into the Chief Information Security Officer role through a mix of timing, skill, and necessity. With a background in IT operations and service delivery, AC found unexpected purpose, community, and a platform for candid reflection on security, leadership, and personal growth. He now hosts The Mindful Business Security Show, educating SMB leaders on practical security.

Three Key Quotes

"I was just looking for a place to vent. I didnt want to get fired for telling the truth."

"Security exists at the confluence of people, process, and technologyit's not just about tools."

"I'm more me under the persona than I actually am in real life."

50-Word Summary

In this episode, The Accidental CISO shares how he unintentionally stepped into a security leadership role, the power of anonymity, and how embracing his alter ego helped him find community, confidence, and a calling. He dives into the human side of cybersecurity, masking, and helping others through authenticity and honesty.

5 Key Takeaways

1. You Can Find Purpose Through Unplanned Paths

• AC became a CISO by accident, not ambition.

• He leaned into unfamiliar responsibilities and grew into the role.

• Sometimes, your catalyst finds you before you find it.

2. Anonymity Can Be a Catalyst for Authenticity

• Online anonymity gave AC a safe space to express frustrations and truth.

• He found a vibrant community that shared his struggles and passions.

• His persona became more real than the masked version of himself at work.

3. Security Is a Business Enabler, Not a Barrier

• AC believes in collaborative securitynot saying no but saying yes, and

• Security must align with business goals and risk tolerance.

• He views security as a multiplier when built with context and care.

4. Risk Is InevitableManaging It Is Leadership

• Risk is part of doing business and drives innovation.

• A mature approach balances safety with operational freedom.

• Security teams should advise, not own, risk decisionsthat belongs to leadership.

5. Self-Awareness and Community Fuel Growth

• ACs journey helped him understand and support his own neurodiversity.

• His experiences empowered deeper connection with his children, who face similar challenges.

• Real leadership starts with knowing who you are and finding your people.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Follow AC at - https://www.accidentalciso.net/

• "It is playoff hockey time—the best time of year."

• "If you're not a hockey fan, become one during the playoffs; the intensity is absolutely amazing."

• "Find a player, find a team, find a story—and enjoy your playoff hockey journey."

Mike and Jacqueline break down the opening round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. They compare their brackets, share hockey fandom stories, and highlight key players to watch. It's a mix of friendly banter, expert insights, and encouragement for new fans to fall in love with playoff hockey’s unmatched excitement.

1. Passion Powers Persistence

• Playoff hockey demands unmatched intensity—players dig deep to win.

• Fans' passion creates lasting loyalty, driving deep team connections.

• Find your personal "playoff moment" to ignite passion in your work or life.

2. Embrace the Unexpected

• Playoff upsets and overtime games show that anything can happen.

• Embracing uncertainty builds resilience and reveals hidden strengths.

• Catalysts often emerge from surprising, pressure-filled moments.

3. Choose Heart Over Logic Sometimes

• Heart picks (like cheering for the Senators) bring joy even if risky.

• Emotional decisions, when thoughtful, can lead to meaningful experiences.

• Don't be afraid to follow your heart when finding your catalyst.

4. Community Strengthens the Journey

• Hockey communities create bonds that last beyond the season.

• Shared experiences and team spirit are vital for long-term motivation.

• Building a community around your catalyst can speed up your growth.

5. Love the Process, Not Just the Outcome

• Win or lose, playoff hockey is about the journey, not just the Cup.

• Progress, learning, and enjoyment are key parts of finding fulfillment.

• Focus on the small wins and personal growth along your catalyst journey.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday.
Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Mike Simmons is a leadership and operations expert who helps organizations drive growth through clarity and execution. He leads initiatives through Find My Catalyst, offering services in leadership, revenue, and operations.
Tim Dyck brings deep experience in recruitment and people strategies. He is the founder of Best Culture Solutions, helping companies build great teams with purpose.

Together, Mike and Tim dive into the nuances of fractional leadership, sharing hard-won lessons, memorable metaphors, and actionable insights.

💬 Three Key Quotes

"Don’t mistake knowledge for experience. And don’t mistake experience for expertise."

"If you’re hiring a fractional leader, make sure they’ve run out of gas before—because they’ll know how to get you back on the road."

"Learning is great. But presenting yourself as an expert without experience can do more harm than good."

📌 50-Word Summary

Mike Simmons and Tim Dyck unpack the world of fractional work, using real-life analogies to explain the value of experience and the risk of surface-level knowledge. They share the difference between knowing, doing, and mastering—and how true expertise accelerates impact. A must-listen for leaders hiring with intention.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways

1. The Fuel Tank Metaphor for Expertise

• Experience is knowing how far your vehicle can go on empty.

• True experts have broken down before—and know how to recover fast.

• Awareness, experience, and expertise are not the same—and each plays a different role.

2. Beware of Shallow Expertise

• Surface-level learners can use the right words but may not deliver results.

• Using tools like ChatGPT doesn't replace real-world experience.

• Misrepresented expertise can harm organizations and delay progress.

3. Fractional Leadership is Not for Learners

• Fractional leaders must already know how to solve the problem you have.

• They're not there to “figure it out”; they’re there to execute.

• Expecting quick results means you need someone who’s already done the work.

4. Simplify to Accelerate Speed to Impact

• Complexity slows progress; simplify by removing what’s unnecessary.

• Clear next steps fuel momentum in leadership and operations.

• Fractional experts help reduce overwhelm and focus on what matters.

5. Align Role with Readiness

• Use readiness assessments before hiring fractional talent.

• Match the right expert to the right job—based on proven track record.

• Fractional success is rooted in fit, not just availability.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday.
Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Shira Abel is a marketing and sales expert with over 25 years of experience, having built a seven-figure agency specializing in account-based marketing (ABM). She is the creator of the Perception Formula, a framework that helps people understand trust, communication, and decision-making in business and relationships. Shira’s expertise spans startups, team dynamics, and behavioral economics, making her a powerful speaker and consultant.

Key Quotes:

1. "Trust isn’t just about intent—it’s about understanding how someone thinks."
2. "If your business relies on manipulation, it won’t last—trust builds long-term success."
3. "The golden rule isn’t enough; you need to adapt to how others think and perceive the world."

Shira Abel shares the Perception Formula, a framework built on heuristics, hormones, history, and heritage, to improve trust, sales, and team dynamics. She discusses cultural communication differences, feedback, and how perception shapes success. Whether in startups, leadership, or personal growth, understanding how people think can be your greatest catalyst.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiraabel/ 

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The Perception Formula: Understanding How People Think

• Perception is shaped by heuristics (mental shortcuts), hormones, history, and heritage.
• Without emotional connection, people won’t remember or trust you.
• Aligning with someone's background improves communication and decision-making.

2. The Role of Trust in Sales, Marketing, and Teams

• Trust isn’t about manipulation—it’s about delivering real value.
• High-value sales rely on relationships, not tricks.
• Cultural differences impact trust (e.g., "ask" vs. "hint" communication styles).

3. Feedback: The Key to Growth and Learning

• Feedback helps you iterate and improve faster.
• "Nice" people avoid tough conversations; "kind" people tell the truth to help others grow.
• The best teams and leaders actively seek and apply feedback.

4. Hormones and Decision-Making: The Science Behind Influence

• Dopamine drives excitement and engagement (e.g., notifications, rewards).
• Cortisol (stress hormone) blocks clear thinking—positive reinforcement is key.
• Oxytocin and serotonin create trust and belonging in teams and customer relationships.

5. Coachability: The Differentiator Between Success and Failure

• Coachability is not about instant agreement—it’s about long-term adaptation.
• The most successful people take feedback, reflect, and adjust.
• Leaders should observe who listens, applies feedback, and improves over time.

Want to level up your thinking and leadership?

💡 Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email delivers insights to help leaders accelerate their impact at work, in life, and in their families.

📩 Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in

Christina Brady is a sales leader, entrepreneur, and the CEO of Luster.ai, a company dedicated to measuring and improving sales proficiency through AI. With 18 years of experience in sales, she is passionate about fixing broken hiring and onboarding processes and enabling professionals to succeed. Christina is also the Chicago Chapter Head of Pavilion and serves on the executive team at Women in Sales.

Three Key Quotes from Christina Brady

1. “If you don’t measure proficiency, you don’t know who you’re hiring, how to up-level them, or why they struggle.”
2. “AI isn’t here to replace you—it’s here to make you better at what you do.”
3. “Founders have ‘magic’ because they know the mistakes that have been made and the risks they’re willing to take. You can’t expect a new hire to replicate that.”

In this insightful conversation, Christina Brady discusses why hiring and onboarding in sales are fundamentally broken and how AI can transform proficiency measurement. She also breaks down the “founder magic” that makes transitioning from founder-led to AE-led sales so difficult. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to scale effectively.

5 Key Takeaways on Finding Your Catalyst

1. The Hiring Process is Fundamentally Broken

• Companies often hire without a clear understanding of what makes a candidate successful.
• The interview process is subjective, leading to mismatches between candidates and roles.
• Relying on past success (e.g., quota attainment at another company) does not predict future success.

2. Onboarding Needs to Be Personalized and Continuous

• Most onboarding programs are generic and fail to address individual deficiencies.
• Employees are often left confused after onboarding, with no clear roadmap for success.
• The best organizations move from "onboarding" to "everboarding," offering continuous training and development.

3. Measuring Proficiency is the Key to Success

• Companies struggle because they don’t objectively measure proficiency at the skill level.
• AI tools can now map skills, identify deficiencies, and predict performance gaps before they become issues.
• Without measurement, companies rely on subjective “gut feelings,” leading to inefficiencies and lost talent.

4. AI is a Tool for Enablement, Not Replacement

• AI should be used to enhance human capability, not replace it.
• The right AI tools help sales teams avoid revenue-impacting mistakes before they happen.
• Leaders must shift their mindset from fear to experimentation when adopting AI.

5. Founder-Led Sales is a Different Game

• Founders have “magic” because they understand the product deeply and can flexibly adjust deals.
• Expecting an AE to replicate a founder’s selling process is unrealistic.
• The transition from founder-led to AE-led sales requires a structured process, proper tooling, and realistic expectations.

Final Thought

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in