Building Confidence and Culture in Cyber Security Leadership
The Challenge
A Manager of Cyber Security who leads a team of six and is responsible for driving digital resilience across an Australian Government Organisation. The role sits at the intersection of high expectations and limited resources — where the team is expected to deliver more, faster, often without additional headcount.
Like many digital teams in government, they faced challenges that went beyond the technical:
Persistent overwork without corresponding resourcing.
Political and funding pressures that added to the stress of delivery.
Lack of consistent backing from senior leaders when issues escalated.
Team communication friction — with some individuals tending to over-explain, creating bottlenecks and misunderstandings.
The Managers goal when given the opportunity by her Executives to engage with Evolve Health Digital was simple but ambitious: to consistently improve as a leader, refine their time and staff management skills, and strengthen their confidence in handling conflict and difficult conversations.
The Coaching Experience
Partnering with one of Evolve’s coaches, they found a safe and practical space to work on their leadership.
“Working with James has been brilliant, he is a fantastic sounding board — providing practical tips on improving my performance and realistic strategies for managing difficult workplace situations and conversations.”
Sessions gave them tools to de-escalate emotionally charged situations, frameworks for managing conflict, and confidence in balancing competing demands. With James’ external perspective, they could openly explore issues without the weight of internal politics.
The Turning Point
One of the most powerful shifts came during times of high stress.
“Discussions with James at times where I have been stressed by a situation have helped to de-escalate my emotional state and assist in focusing on the issue at hand and practical ways to manage it. This coaching has made me a better team leader.”
Leading the team through the rollout of a high-visibility cyber program tested their ability to balance competing priorities, stakeholder expectations, and delivery pressures. Drawing on coaching support, they approached the challenge with greater composure and clarity — focusing on empowering the team rather than shouldering the entire responsibility themselves.
They facilitated open communication between technical experts, communications staff, and external partners, ensuring alignment around shared goals. Where they might previously have reacted under stress or tried to over-control the process, they instead applied the strategies from coaching to delegate confidently, manage conflict constructively, and maintain focus on the broader purpose.
This shift in leadership style not only strengthened team cohesion but also reinforced their credibility across the organisation and the sector.
The Impact
Through open reflection and new strategies, they have seen tangible improvements in their leadership and their team:
Improved culture: Their willingness to create space for candid conversations has fostered an environment where team members feel safe to share challenges and expectations.
Better communication: By learning to manage emotional triggers and encourage clarity, they have reduced friction in how the team collaborates.
Increased confidence: They approach difficult conversations and decisions with greater composure, which has influenced both their effectiveness and credibility.
Measured success: Under their leadership, the team naviagated and delivered complex cyber programs in strengthening of cyber resilience.
Reflection
Looking back, she highlights the unique value of working with an external coach:
“Having an external sounding board provides the freedom to navigate situations without the influence of internal politics or relationships.”
Her journey reflects how targeted coaching can empower leaders in high-pressure government roles to not only manage themselves more effectively, but to create the conditions for their teams to thrive.