TheBidWinner.com

#1 Elite Sales Coach, Keynote Speaker, Author

Author - The 5 Minute Sales Coach

Founder

#1 Sales Leadership Coach

Archimedes

Member

EMC & Associates

Executive Coach - CRO Bids

Bid Consultant

Helping organisations with a range of consultancy services covering Coaching, Team Building, Mentoring

Executive Coach - Sales growth

Thirst Link Consulting

ThirstLink work entirely in the best interests of clients, providing them with expert procurement advice, together with hands-on assistance to complete specific tasks or resolve contractual disputes. 

TLC understands the supplier selection process and what is required with regards to service, customer satisfaction and cost effectiveness and have vast experience in working within client’s project teams that can include Facilities Managers, Procurement and Catering personnel.

Our involvement saves customers Time, Resource and Money. TLC are able to provide these services at minimal cost to the client.

TLC consists of a team of highly experienced consultants, each of whom have spent a substantial part of their career working at all levels within the FM, Catering and Vending sectors.

We have over 100 years combined sector experience available to your business.

Schedule  a no obligation call: 07463 646477

Consultant Director

Totally Delicious Ltd

Turnaround consultancy support and advice to a fast growing boutique and artisan workplace and leisure attraction caterer. 

Interim CEO and Management Team coaching and support, P&L review and analysis, strategic planning and forecasting.

Supporting contracts with clients such as:

Swinton Insurance - Autonet - Brightside - Trentham Gardens - Flip Out - Steelite

Interim CRO

ELIS

Transformation consultancy working alongside Senior Management team to review and restructure internal and external account management team. Review National Account structure, performance and reward systems. Review and implement CRM systems and team mentoring processes.

Executive Coach

Sell a Vend LLP

Providing Consultancy services to UK board covering:

Turnaround Strategy - Sales Strategy  - Brand - Key Market Sectors - Key Account Strategy 

Review of market position analysis of brand  re branding and ecommerce strategy.

Scobie McIntosh Ltd

Providing Consultancy services to UK board covering:

Strategy -  Sales Budget - Market Position - New Business  - Key Account Development 

Supporting and Mentioning UK Sales Director on strategy and budgeting,

Pelican Rouge Coffee Roasters

Working on Pan European Strategies to assist VC backed turnaround of €1.2 billion turnover acquisition.

Creating and delivering mutually beneficial supply solutions across our range of products with partnered Clients across key market sectors on a Pan European and Global scale.

Providing a consistent and mutually beneficial solutions across a multi sector environment covering:

Working on joint partnership projects with:

John Lewis Partnership - Baxter Storey - ISS - Pelican Rouge - Tesco - Nisa - Liquidline - Bidfoods - Vantage

International Sales Director

Pelican Rouge Group

Director - responsible for annual £120m+ revenues - at Autobar UK. Member of the original Board who grew, over 7 years, a business to market leading position through acquisition/integration, organic growth & new client recruitment.

Multi sector team operating across a number of key channels including:

Public Sector, NHS, Private Sector, Education, Leisure, Retail

Multi disciplined covering:

Capital Sales, Service and Ingredient contracts, Volume linked contracts

Own and exceed annual targets through Regional Teams working from six depot locations - consisting of Senior Sales Managers, Regional Sales Managers, Key Account Managers, New Business Executives.

Bid Team Director

Facilities Management Consultant | helping organisations troubleshoot their FM services by improving procurement, benchmarking, contract management and operational efficiency

Building sales teams and winning BIDs is easy (if you get this right)
Most CEOs don’t and it’s costing them millions.

Most sales teams are underperforming, and most bids are lost, because CEOs are stuck managing tactics instead of building long-term, scalable systems and teams.

That’s where I come in.

I help B2B leadership teams create “Sales Champions”, not just reps. We focus on sales process optimisation, coaching cadence, and bid strategy that actually wins.

✅ 143% average sales increase
✅ 256% ROI on programs
✅ 250+ bid wins and counting

Whether you're chasing growth targets, losing too many proposals, or tired of your team plateauing, I’ll help you fix the foundation.

I'm also the author of The 5 Minute Sales Coach, a practical, battle-tested playbook for sales leaders who want results without fluff.

Here’s the truth:

🔹 Over 66% of leaders don’t have the skills to coach
🔹 Your team is fuelling your growth or holding you back.

My background:

📈 250+ sales teams coached - 116%+ growth achieved.
📈 Led £50M+ teams in B2B service industries.
📈 Turned stagnant teams into high-performing ones

Key clients including:

📈 RICS, B&Q, Santander, Aviva, Deloitte, 
📈 Yahoo, Michelin, Swinton, Salford Leisure

If you’re ready to step up, elevate your team, and finally bridge the gap between where you are and where you should be… let’s talk.

If you’re even a little curious about what’s possible when you work with someone who’s been in the trenches for 25+ years at the highest level… let’s talk.

📩 DM me “COACH” and let’s start the conversation.

Ernie Melling IFMA ,TMA

Early Leadership & Career Pivot Strategist | Helping Non-Tech Professionals Lead in Tech | CEO @ Lateral Connect | Digital Transformation Advisor | Non-Executive Director

Most career advice still assumes the straight corporate ladder. But the truth? Careers today grow sideways before they grow upwards.

You don’t need another certificate or years of waiting for a title. 

You need:

- A lateral career strategy that turns your past into a competitive advantage
- Mentorship that accelerates growth instead of delaying it
- Leadership habits that scale with every move you make

I help ambitious professionals pivot with confidence, moving from non-tech into cybersecurity, digital, and emerging tech leadership.

Through Lateral Connect, our mentorship-driven programmes combine:

1️⃣ Career transition roadmaps tailored for non-tech professionals
2️⃣ Early leadership coaching for first-time and aspiring managers
3️⃣ Practical upskilling that leads directly to outcomes in cyber and digital roles

I’ve guided:

🔹 HR leaders into risk management
🔹 Project managers into cyber leadership
🔹 Marketers into digital transformation consulting

This isn’t about chasing titles.
It’s about building a career platform that opens doors to leadership.

📩 Ready to pivot with confidence? DM me or visit Lateral Connect to start your transformation.

Victoria Coker

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 “𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥”

Most people don’t “fail” to get into cybersecurity.
They just chase the wrong door.

If job boards made money from telling you the truth, you’d hear this everywhere. But they don’t, so you don’t.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Cybersecurity has 3.5M unfilled roles globally, and most AREN’T technical. (ISC²)

𝐘𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝:
	•	A computer science degree
	•	10 tools on their CV
	•	“Hacker vibes”
	•	Or years of experience they don’t have

𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧?
People don’t have a skills problem.
They have a direction problem.

❌  They’re applying blindly.
❌  They’re picking roles they don’t understand.
❌ They’re learning random courses instead of market-ready skills.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞:
	•	Too many “ultimate cyber roadmaps”
	•	Influencers selling stress as strategy
	•	Companies listing “nice-to-have” skills as mandatory

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐲: 
Cybersecurity is a PEOPLE industry first, a TECH industry second.
-Risk.
-Policy.
-Governance.
-Awareness.
-Operations.

Those are leadership skills in disguise.

𝐒𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐢𝐧, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:

✅ Pick a lane: Governance, GRC, Awareness, Risk, SOC, Cloud etc 1 not 5.
✅ Learn the minimum viable skill set for that lane
✅ Build one small project or example that proves you understand the work

That’s it. Not a bootcamp buffet. Not a PhD in hacking.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 → 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 → 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

What’s the biggest myth about cybersecurity careers you used to believe?


♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth

#AskVictoriaCoker #cybersecurity #careerpivot

li_at

JSESSIONID

Cyber Security

Top Cyber Career Transition Coach | Upskilling Non-Tech Professionals for Cyber Roles | Founder @Lateral Connect (NCSC-Assured) | Supported Talent Across Skanska, Motorola, Bupa & Virgin Money

Protecting your peace isn’t weakness.

It’s how you make space for your best work.

Whether it’s an opportunity, a job, or even a relationship - nothing is worth trading your inner calm.

Challenges are part of life. But constantly sacrificing your wellbeing for short-term wins? That’s a debt you’ll always regret.

Here are 5 red flags it may be time to step away:

1️⃣ You start doubting your value
   
↳ When you question your worth, it’s already taking too much from you. Your value isn’t negotiable.

2️⃣ You shrink yourself to fit in
   
↳ If you have to hide parts of who you are or play small just to be accepted, the environment isn’t right.

3️⃣ Hope feels out of reach
    
↳ If the thought of another day fills you with more dread than excitement, it’s time to reflect on what you’re holding onto.

4️⃣ You no longer recognise yourself
    
↳ When the situation changes you in ways that make you feel lost, it’s time to realign with who you really are.

5️⃣ Your rest is stolen
    
↳ If sleepless nights and racing thoughts have become the norm, don’t ignore the signal. Peace is not optional.

Leaving doesn’t equal losing.
Sometimes, it’s the most courageous decision you’ll ever make.

You deserve spaces that honour your worth.
And a life that allows you to breathe fully.

♻️ Share this to remind someone to protect their peace
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on career growth, leadership, and balance

Fear might get movement.

But it will never create momentum.

I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership in cybersecurity lately, especially the kind that still runs on pressure, urgency, and subtle fear.

I’ve worked in those environments. And yes, for a while, they get results. Things move quickly. People scramble. On the surface, it looks productive.

But the fallout arrives even faster.

When people don’t feel safe, they stop bringing ideas. They stop taking risks. They focus on protecting themselves instead of pushing the work forward.

I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that tech and AI innovation doesn’t grow in fear, it grows in trust.

And the leaders who understand that are the ones people actually want to follow.

They choose:

 – quiet over contribution
 – approval over honesty
 – surviving the week over developing their career

And that’s how great teams slowly disappear.

Signs of fear-led leadership to avoid:

 ❌ Hinting that roles are replaceable
 ❌ Using ambiguity as control
 ❌ Creating “fake emergencies” to force compliance
 ❌ Moving expectations without communicating why
 ❌ Treating performance reviews like punishments

Signs of leadership that builds trust:

 ✅ Set clear expectations so people can succeed, not guess
 ✅ Develop your team with intention, not leftovers
 ✅ Explain the “why” behind decisions
 ✅ Give people ownership, let them think, not just follow
 ✅ Back your people publicly, and coach them privately

Fear restricts potential.
Trust releases it.

And if fear is running the room, it’s time to go, for your sanity, your growth, and your future.

♻️ Repost to promote people-first leadership
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for Cyber Career Change & Authentic Early Leadership
#AskVictoriaCoker

Non-Tech to Cyber in 5 Months | Become Career-Ready with Confidence | Founder @ Lateral Connect (NCSC-Assured) | Supporting Talent Across Skanska, Motorola, Bupa & Virgin Money

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲

In leadership, we often celebrate availability, the leader who’s always reachable, always responding, always ready to fix things.

But what we rarely talk about is the quiet discipline that sustains real leadership over time: boundaries.

When I first stepped into leadership, I believed saying “yes” was the key to being effective.

✅ Yes to new projects.
✅ Yes to longer hours.
✅ Yes to helping, even when my plate was already full.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭. 💔

Because without boundaries, even the most passionate leader burns out.

You lose focus, clarity, and eventually, the purpose that made you want to lead in the first place.

Boundaries don’t mean being unavailable. They mean 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕.

They protect your decision-making, your creativity, and your ability to lead with empathy instead of exhaustion.

Strong leaders aren’t defined by how much they take on
but by how clearly they define what truly matters.

💡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧:
Boundaries aren’t limits, they’re leadership tools.

They protect your time so you can protect your team’s direction.
Because when everything demands your attention, the real skill is knowing what doesn’t deserve it.

♻️ 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞
➕ 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

Courage isn’t the absence of fear.

It’s deciding fear won’t win today.

I wrote that on a Post-it and stuck it next to my desk.
Not because I needed new wisdom, but because sometimes we need reminders, not reinvention.

Fear still shows up.
Before a big decision.
Before a conversation that matters.
Before stepping into a new chapter.

But courage shows up too, quietly, consistently, and often without applause.

Here are 7 things I remind myself when fear tries to lead the way:

1. Fear is information
    Ask: What is this feeling trying to tell me?

2. Your body reacts before your confidence does
    Breathe first, act second.

3. Courage is built through repetition
    Do the small scary thing today.

4. You don’t need certainty to move
    Take one clear step, not ten perfect ones.

5. Fear grows in silence
    Say it out loud; name it, shrink it.

6. You’ve survived every difficult moment so far
    Evidence beats emotion.

7. Momentum builds self-belief
    Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Courage isn’t loud.
Sometimes it’s just choosing not to let fear make the final decision.

 What’s one quote that’s been staying with you lately?

Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill.

It’s a security layer.

If you can’t clear the path for your team, you’re not ready to lead.
Leadership isn’t about holding the spotlight.

It’s about spotting vulnerabilities, in systems and in people, before they turn into real risks.

In cybersecurity, the tech matters.
But the trust matters more.

High-EI leaders understand their people, anticipate stress points, and remove barriers so their teams can stay sharp, think clearly, and defend effectively.

Here’s how emotionally intelligent leaders show up in security-driven environments:

How emotionally intelligent leaders show up in cybersecurity:

1. They create psychological safety before technical safety.
 ↳ Teams speak up about concerns, mistakes, and weird anomalies, early, 
    because they know they won’t be punished for being honest.

2. They reduce panic, not amplify it.
 ↳ During incidents, they steady the room. Calm leaders make clearer 
    decisions, and clear decisions prevent breaches from becoming disasters.

3. They listen for signals behind the symptoms.
 ↳ Burnout, frustration, and silence are indicators of risk, just like system 
    alerts. EI leaders treat people-data as seriously as threat-data.

4. They remove friction that slows defences.
 ↳ Confusing processes, unclear roles, or interpersonal tension all create 
    vulnerabilities. EI leaders clear the path so teams can respond fast.

5. They balance accountability with empathy.
 ↳ They expect excellence, but they don’t weaponise blame. Instead, they 
    build a culture where learning outranks fear.

6. They model the mindset they want under pressure.
 ↳ Composure spreads. So does chaos. Teams mirror the leader’s emotional 
    state more than their technical expertise.

7. They understand that trust is a security control.
 ↳ When people trust their leader, they communicate sooner, collaborate 
    better, and guard one another’s blind spots.

♻️ Share if you believe leadership is about enabling, not controlling
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth

#AskVictoriaCoker

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸

We spend millions on tools…but only minutes on the people who actually use them.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽.

Because despite what the industry sells, the biggest weakness in security isn’t outdated tech, it’s untrained instincts, unclear habits, and uncertain decisions made in real time by real humans.

Most breaches don’t begin with a sophisticated attacker.
They begin with hesitation, embarrassment, overconfidence, or fear.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

The truth most leaders avoid is this:
You don’t fix security culture by teaching people more.
You fix it by helping them behave differently.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁:
	1.	People understand the risk
	2.	They feel responsible for the outcome
	3.	They’re confident enough to take action

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 “𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲”. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

A set of cues, expectations, and tiny daily behaviours that compound quietly over time.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘁:
✅ People report early.
✅ They ask before they act.
✅ They flag concerns without fear.
✅ And they do the right thing even when no one is watching.

You can’t force that through compliance.
You build it through clarity, consistency, and human psychology.

🧭 𝟲 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆

When someone clicks a phishing link, ask:
“What made this convincing?”
Not: “Why didn’t you spot it?”

𝟮. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 “𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿” 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲

Most people want to do the right thing, they just don’t know the exact steps.

𝟯. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿

Fear paralyses.
Confidence creates faster reporting, quicker escalation, and fewer cover-ups.

𝟰. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼-𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀

When managers lock screens, question links, and report incidents openly, teams follow without being told.

𝟱. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲

If people can ask “Is this normal?” without judgement, you’ve already reduced 70% of silent risks.

𝟲. 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Why it matters.
Who it protects.
How it impacts customers, data, and trust.
Culture is built on meaning, not manuals.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth
#AskVictoriaCoker #cybersecurity #careerpivot

𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤

Most people believe cybersecurity is about high-tech defences and complex tools.

Truth is, you’re more likely to be safe by doing simple, smart things every day than by buying the “latest solution”.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 (𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐀) 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮:

🧠 𝟏. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐌𝐅𝐀)
This single switch locks the door for most hackers.
No tech gimmicks, just a smart habit.

🔄 𝟐. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝
Yes, those annoying update prompts matter.
Every patch closes a door that attackers could walk through.

👀 𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Emails, texts or unfamiliar links often hide threats.
Pause. Check the sender. Consider if you were expecting it.

🧾 𝟒. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚
Ransomware hits people who have no recovery plan.
If you lose files, you still win, because you planned ahead.

🔄 𝟓. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞
Regularly remove unused apps and limit permissions. 
Cleaner devices reduce attack surfaces significantly.

𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗌𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝖻𝗂𝗍𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗅𝗒 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀.
𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝗂𝗋𝖾 𝗇𝗈 𝖽𝖾𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖾, 𝗇𝗈 𝖼𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇.
𝖡𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝖽𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀: 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗅.

In an era where devices outnumber people and attackers multiply daily, your behaviour becomes your strongest defence.

If you’re curious about how to move beyond “safe habits” into a meaningful cyber career, especially if you don’t come from tech, I’d be happy to walk you through your next step.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth
#AskVictoriaCoker #cybersecurity #careerpivot

🌱 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐲.

But staying in the same place can be even scarier.
We don’t talk enough about the quiet fear of comfort.
The kind that keeps you in roles you’ve outgrown,
surrounded by familiarity,
but disconnected from growth.

I remember that feeling, the mix of comfort and discomfort.
Knowing something inside me had shifted,
but not knowing what to do with it.
Everyone tells you to “𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩.”

But they rarely tell you that you’ll second-guess it a hundred times.
That even progress can feel like loss when you’re leaving a version of yourself behind.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡?
Every big change begins with fear.

But so does every meaningful chapter of your life.
When I finally moved forward, it wasn’t because the fear disappeared.
It was because I realised staying still would cost me more than trying.
I decided to trust myself more than my comfort zone.

If you’re standing at that crossroads, uncertain, overthinking, maybe waiting for the “right time” this is your reminder:

Growth doesn’t wait for confidence.
It builds it.

✨ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩.
𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth
#AskVictoriaCoker #CareerChange #GrowthMindset #Courage

I used to think leadership meant having all the answers.

Then one book reminded me, it’s actually about better questions.

“The Fearless Organization” by Amy Edmondson changed how I understand leadership.
Not by pushing harder.
Not by striving for perfection.
Not by pretending to be fearless.

But by leading with curiosity, intention, and psychological safety.

The truth is, people don’t grow in environments where they’re afraid to be wrong.
They grow when they feel invited to contribute, challenge, and explore without judgment.

This book shaped the way I mentor, coach, and build teams today.
It reinforced something I now teach inside my Early Leadership Accelerator, that leadership isn’t about removing fear.
It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe enough to move through it.

Here are 5 takeaways that changed how I lead, and what to do with them:

1️⃣ Safety builds performance. → Begin meetings with: “What perspectives haven’t we heard yet?”

2️⃣ Curiosity unlocks solutions. → Before giving advice, ask one more question.

3️⃣ Silence signals something. → Proactively invite quieter voices to share.

4️⃣ Mistakes are data. → Replace blame with: “What can this teach us?”

5️⃣ Clarity builds trust. → Share the “why,” not just the “what.”

What book quietly changed how you lead?

We call them “leadership mistakes.”

But they’re actually growth accelerators.

When I first stepped into a leadership role, I thought mistakes meant weakness.
I tried to avoid them, triple-checking everything, staying cautious, chasing perfection.
But in this field, perfection is impossible.

The irony?
Every “mistake” became the exact lesson that built my credibility, resilience, and influence.

The missed communication that taught me the value of clarity.
The project setback that showed me how to lead under pressure.
The overreaction that reminded me to respond, not react.

Cybersecurity leadership isn’t about avoiding risk, it’s about managing it with grace and accountability.

Because growth doesn’t come from flawless execution.
It comes from reflection, adjustment, and transparency when things don’t go as planned.

Mistakes don’t disqualify you from leadership, they prove you’re doing the work that matters.

Here are 7 “mistakes” every leader makes, and why they’re essential to growth:

1️⃣ Humility:
❌ Admitting you don’t know makes you look inexperienced.
✅ Admitting gaps models humility, trust, and collaborative problem-solving.

2️⃣ Confidence:
❌ Hiring talent stronger than you makes you seem less capable.
✅ Strong hires raise standards and strengthen the entire team.

3️⃣ Risk:
❌ Accepting a challenge you’re unsure of risks falling short.
✅ Uncertainty fuels learning, adaptability, and faster personal growth.

4️⃣ Accountability:
❌ Owning your team’s mistakes may damage your personal image.
✅ Accountability builds loyalty, respect, and long-term leadership credibility.

5️⃣ Integrity:
❌ Questioning a senior decision could be seen as disruptive.
✅ Thoughtful challenge demonstrates courage, integrity, and authentic leadership.

6️⃣ Maturity:
❌ Admitting when you’re wrong feels like losing authority.
✅ Owning mistakes builds credibility, trust, and authentic maturity.

7️⃣ Alignment:
❌ Turning down opportunities might look like lacking ambition or drive.
✅ Saying no shows clarity, fit, and focus on long-term growth.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
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𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞.

Most people still imagine cybersecurity as screens of code, dark dashboards, and “tech people” doing technical things.

But when you look closely, cybersecurity is simply this:

👉 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
stolen data
financial loss
ransomware
disrupted businesses
or compromised personal information

And because our world is now more connected than ever, one truth has become unavoidable:

There are more devices than people, and more attackers than defenders.

𝐒𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬:

🔹 𝟏. 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞
Strong passwords.
Safer clicks.
Awareness.
Team habits.
Everything begins with human behaviour, not software.

🔹 𝟐. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬
Clear frameworks for identifying, protecting, responding, and recovering.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a great example: it turns chaos into structured action.

🔹 𝟑. 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲
Firewalls, anti-malware, DNS filtering, email security, cloud protection.
Tools matter, but only when people and processes know how to use them.

When these three work together, security becomes proactive, not reactive. And here’s why this matters for your career:

Cybersecurity has become one of the most important, stable, and human-centric fields in the world, and it’s no longer reserved for technical backgrounds.
- The industry needs thinkers.
- Communicators.
- Problem-solvers.
- Policy-minded professionals.
- Leaders who can make sense of risk for real people.

With 𝟑.𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, the timing couldn’t be clearer:
There has never been a better moment to transition into cybersecurity, especially if you come from a non-technical background.

Curious where your skills fit in?
I’m happy to help you explore the pathways.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth
#AskVictoriaCoker #cybersecurity #careerpivot

Cybersecurity: More Human Than You Think

Growth rarely looks glamorous.

It looks like late nights, quiet learning, and showing up before anyone’s watching.

When I first started pivoting my career, I thought growth would feel like momentum.
But most of it felt… slow.
Unseen.
Ordinary.

The truth is, growth hides in repetition, in consistency, and in every small step that doesn’t get applause.

You won’t always see the progress right away.
But one day, the things that once felt confusing will feel natural.
The connections will click.
And people will start calling “prepared” what you built in private.

This isn’t just true for cybersecurity, it’s true for every field built on trust and skill.

Keep going.
Your slow season isn’t wasted, it’s working.

Here are 9 Truths About Growth in Cyber (and Why it Feels Slow First):

1. The Still Season
 ↳ You’ve lost motivation or direction, and maybe your progress has stalled.
 ↳ You’re recalibrating, refining, and learning to move with more clarity and 
    intention.

2. The Repetition Phase
 ↳ You’re doing the same things over and over with no results.
 ↳ You’re strengthening habits that compound into long-term consistency 
    and confidence.

3. The Quiet Work
 ↳ You’ve disappeared or lost momentum because you’re not posting or 
    celebrating every win.
 ↳ You’re learning, refining, and protecting your focus from distractions.

4. The Comparison Trap
 ↳ Others are advancing faster or doing better than you.
 ↳ You’re building roots before results, a foundation no one else can copy.

5. The Small Wins
 ↳ Your wins are too minor to matter.
 ↳ Small wins compound into confidence and momentum.

6. The Slow Burn
 ↳ You’re not moving fast enough to keep up.
 ↳ You’re choosing sustainability over burnout and direction over distraction.

7. The Unseen Discipline
 ↳ You’re lucky when success finally shows up.
 ↳ You’ve been showing up quietly for months, learning, refining, improving.

8. The Turning Point
 ↳ You had a breakthrough out of nowhere.
 ↳ Your consistency finally met visibility.

9. The Recognition Moment
 ↳ You finally “made it” and everything clicked overnight.
 ↳ You’ve been doing the work long before anyone noticed.

💡 Growth looks boring before it looks impressive.

♻️ Repost to remind someone: quiet progress still counts.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and 
      growth.

 #AskVictoriaCoker #CareerPivot #Leadership #GrowthMindset

Career transitions made possible | From no-tech to cybersecurity leader | Founder @ Lateral Connect | Empowering people to grow, lead & get hired | Skanska, Motorola, Bupa, Virgin Money

9 Truths About Growth (and Why it Feels Slow First)

Too many leaders chase results without direction.

But the best leaders know:
Clarity and alignment protect more than systems, they protect people.

Early in my career, I thought leadership meant pushing for results and closing every ticket fast.
I chased metrics.
I measured only outcomes.
And I assumed everyone understood the “why.”

But cybersecurity isn’t just technical, it’s behavioural.
People don’t just follow policies.
They follow clarity, purpose, and trust.

When teams understand why their work matters, they protect better, communicate faster, and make smarter decisions under pressure.

That’s why I use the G.O.A.L. framework:

1) G = Guide the Bigger Vision
❓Have I shared direction? 
❓Do they see role?
✅Clarity sustains motivation. 
✅Tasks connect to vision.

2) O = Outline Clear Expectations
❓Do I define success? 
❓Do I welcome curiosity?
✅Standards prevent confusion. 
✅Curiosity fuels innovation.

3) A = Acknowledge Team Progress
❓Do I celebrate wins? 
❓Do I empower ownership?
✅ Recognition builds momentum. 
✅ Empowerment drives accountability.

4) L = Listen, Learn, Adapt
❓Do I hear feedback? 
❓Do I adjust plans?
✅ Feedback strengthens leaders. 
✅ Flexibility shows strength.

Great leaders don’t just set goals.
They align people to achieve them.

👉 What part of G.O.A.L. do you think leaders overlook most?
♻️ Repost to remind others they are enough
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Just one day left before the WomenTech Network Global Awards 2025 winners are announced, and I’m still humbled to be a finalist for the Community Award.
 
Thank you to everyone who has voted already, your support truly means everything. 

This nomination represents the thousands of people changing careers, rebuilding their confidence, and stepping into cybersecurity through our programmes, people who remind me daily why I started Lateral Connect.

Whether I win or not, the mission remains the same
 ✨ Make cybersecurity accessible
 ✨ Create real, meaningful opportunities
 ✨ Support those starting from scratch
 ✨ Build leaders, not just job titles

If you haven’t voted yet and would like to support, the link is in the comments.
Thank you again, truly. 💙

Women in Tech - Global Awards - Finalist

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘄

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 are performing well in their current roles, yet 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲. Not because they lack talent, but because 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 than their career can keep up.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴:
● 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟱𝟬% of tasks could be automated by 2030.
● 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝟰𝟱% of organisations expect workforce reductions due to AI.
● Meanwhile, the 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝟯.𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 unfilled roles.

You are not alone if you’re feeling the pressure.
It’s not your fault that your field is changing.

But it is your responsibility if you continue relying on skills that may not survive the next wave of disruption.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆:
“Non-tech professionals can’t transition into cybersecurity.”
This is false.

𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱.
It needs communicators, analysts, organisers, problem-solvers, and people who understand business realities. ✅ Skills you already have.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗱, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀:
There are few fields growing faster, more secure, and more talent-hungry than cybersecurity.

The gap is real, and the opportunity is bigger than most people realise.

If you’re exploring how to future-proof your career, cyber is worth looking at.

♻️ Repost to help new leaders reframe failure
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for authentic leadership & career growth

#AskVictoriaCoker #LeadershipDevelopment #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth

Protect Your Career

Everyone starts somewhere, even in cybersecurity.

What matters most isn’t your past role, but your next move.

Thinking about a cybersecurity career but not sure where to start?
Here’s the truth, many entry-level cyber roles in the UK don’t require direct experience.
They require curiosity, transferable skills, and visible learning.

If you can show problem-solving, teamwork, or analytical thinking, you already have a foundation.
Now it’s about positioning your story.

In your resume, highlight the projects or certifications that prove your initiative, even a small home lab counts.
In your interview, share examples that show curiosity, persistence, and how you’ve adapted to learn new tools.

And when in doubt, remember these power moves:
 ⚡ Build a simple cyber home lab
 ⚡ Map your existing skills to cyber tasks
 ⚡ Apply what you learn consistently

Cybersecurity needs fresh thinkers, not just seasoned pros.
Start where you are, and grow from there.

Explore our carousel on How to Start a Cybersecurity Career (with No Experience) using your resume and interview techniques as power moves.

1. Resume Focus
↳ Highlight real projects that show initiative, even outside formal work.
↳ Share stories showing curiosity, problem-solving, and continuous 
   learning habits.

2. Skills Matter
↳ Emphasize transferable skills from admin, IT, or customer-facing roles.
↳ Explain how your existing strengths help secure systems and support 
   teams.

3. Learn Smart
↳ Add self-study, online courses, or certificates to show dedication.
↳ Discuss what you learned recently and how you applied it.

4. Confidence Counts
↳ Keep your CV clean, focused, and aligned with entry-level roles.
↳ Speak with clarity and energy about your readiness to grow.

5. Title: Real Results
↳ Add measurable outcomes like “improved data security” or “reduced 
    risk.”
↳ Share how you made past systems safer or processes smoother.

6. Show Initiative
↳ Add volunteer or home lab experience to show active engagement.
↳ Explain what motivated you to build real-world cybersecurity skills.

7. Network Strong
 ↳ Mention mentorships, study groups, or cybersecurity communities joined.
 ↳ Reference mentors or peers who guided your learning journey.

 8. Stay Curious
 ↳ Show curiosity through projects, research, or self-initiated. 
    improvements.
 ↳ Ask smart questions about tools, threats, or company practices.

9. Take Action
↳ Update your CV this week to include courses and key skills.
↳ Prepare two stories that prove motivation and quick learning ability.

♻️ Repost to remind someone leadership starts with self
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more early leadership + career pivot insights

 #AskVictoriaCoker #CybersecurityCareers #EntryLevelCyber #CareerChange #OpenToWork #CyberSecurityUK #Mentoring #CareerPivot

How to Start a Cybersecurity Career (with no experience)

You keep wondering if you’re “qualified enough.”

But what if you already are?

Maybe you’ve been solving complex problems, just not calling them cybersecurity.
Maybe you’ve been leading without a title, influencing outcomes quietly but consistently.
Or maybe your calm under pressure has been training you for risk management all along.

That’s the thing, credibility doesn’t always announce itself.
Sometimes it hides in your habits, your judgment, and your follow-through.

You don’t need to start over.
You need to see your experience differently.

Because you’re not behind, you’ve just been building skills in another lane.
And now, those skills are ready for a bigger stage.

Here is 5 Proof Points You’re More Qualified Than You Think:

1️⃣ Experience Equals Expertise
   ↳ You’ve already built frameworks, 
      solved problems, and managed risk,  
      that’s real-world cybersecurity 
      thinking.

2️⃣ Leadership Without Title
   ↳ Guiding others, influencing outcomes, 
      and driving clarity are leadership 
      skills, not future goals.

3️⃣ Cross-Functional Fluency
   ↳ Your ability to translate between 
      business, people, and process is a 
      cybersecurity superpower.

4️⃣ Judgment Under Pressure
   ↳ Making calm, informed decisions in.    
      chaos proves you already think like a 
      risk analyst.

5️⃣ Integrity Builds Trust
   ↳ Consistency, reliability, and 
      follow-through are your most 
      transferable cybersecurity 
      credentials.

♻️ Repost to remind someone: they’re already closer than they realise.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth

 #AskVictoriaCoker #CybersecurityCareers #CareerPivot #Leadership

Your skills aren’t wasted, they’re waiting.

Every pivot starts with one small cyber step.

You don’t need to “start over” to work in cybersecurity.
Your admin, finance, operations, or IT experience already solves the same problems, risk, process, communication, trust.

Cyber needs thinkers, builders, and connectors, not just coders.
Leadership begins when you learn to see your skills through a cyber lens.

Start small. Stay curious.
Your pivot is already in motion.

Here are 9 Ways to Pivot into Cyber (Without Feeling Anxious):

1) Transfer What You Know
    Your admin, finance, or project experience already solves problems 
    cybersecurity needs daily.

 • Map old skills to new roles
 • Reframe tasks as risk management

2) Learn the Language
   Cyber has its own terms, but you’ve learned new jargon before.

 • Follow UK NCSC learning paths
 • Join beginner-friendly cyber forums

3) Build Micro-Confidence
    Small wins create lasting confidence and momentum.

 • Complete one mini lab weekly
 • Share progress posts on LinkedIn

4) Network with Purpose
    Quiet professionals thrive through authentic, intentional connections.

  • Attend one virtual event monthly
  • Follow 5 industry mentors online

5) Find a Mentor
    Guidance turns confusion into clarity and structure.

 • Seek mentors via Lateral Connect
 • Join local cyber mentoring programmes

6) Build Visible Proof
    Show what you can do, not just what you know.

 • Create a cybersecurity portfolio
 • Post “before and after” learning reflections

7) Align Your Story
    Your story matters. it’s your credibility and brand.

 • Reframe résumé bullet points
 • Practice your 2-minute pivot story

8) Lead Where You Are
    Leadership starts long before your title changes.

  • Volunteer for small cyber projects
  • Model composure under pressure

9) Keep the Momentum
    Every pivot has uncertainty, but persistence always beats perfection.    

 • Learn, apply, reflect, repeat
 • Stay connected to your community

♻️ Repost to remind someone their past experience still matters.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for early leadership & career pivot insights.

 #AskVictoriaCoker #CareerChange #CyberSecurity #Leadership #Mentorship #LateralCareers #CyberLeadership

9 Ways to Pivot into Cyber (Without Feeling Anxious)

No experience doesn’t mean no potential,

It just means no direction yet.

We talk a lot about experience, as if it’s the golden ticket to opportunity.
But experience isn’t something we’re born with.
It’s something we earn after we’ve taken the first uncertain steps.

Every mentor, leader, and expert you admire once stood exactly where you might be now, at the intersection of uncertainty and ambition.
No map. No confidence. Just a quiet belief that they could figure it out.

The truth is:
“No experience” doesn’t mean you’re unqualified.
It simply means you haven’t yet found your direction, your unique path where curiosity meets opportunity.

And that’s actually exciting.

Because direction can be discovered.
Potential can be developed.
And experience? It naturally follows action.

When you stop waiting for the “right time” or the “perfect qualifications” and start experimenting, you begin to build something powerful: momentum.
1️⃣ The first project you take on might not be perfect.
2️⃣ The first role you try might not be your forever fit.
3️⃣ The first attempt might even fail.

But each step teaches you something.
Each detour reveals what energizes you, and what doesn’t.
Each small win gives you a clearer view of your path forward.

So, if you’re standing at that glowing crossroads, wondering whether to take the next step, remember:

You don’t need experience to start.
You just need a little courage to choose direction over doubt.

Because once you move, you’ll look back and realise, the “no experience” version of you was simply the beginning of potential in motion.

✨ Keep going. The path gets clearer as you walk.

♻️ Repost to remind others they are enough.
 ➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more leadership + mentorship insights.

#CareerGrowth #Mindset #Motivation #Leadership #Potential #Direction #PersonalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #GrowthMindset

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