Page 69 - Cyber Defense eMagazine March 2024

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By fostering inclusive workplaces and products, these companies can help bridge the digital divide and
ensure that technology serves the needs of everyone. The future of inclusion in tech and cybersecurity
is bright when empathetic leadership becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Conclusion

The awareness of emotional intelligence has been spoken about and practiced for a significant period of
time. What it enables leaders to achieve in their teams is an understanding and connection between
feelings and actions that signify how inclusion proceeds in people that have been invisible or ignored.

Empathetic leadership is not just a theoretical concept but a practical approach to shaping the future of
inclusion in cybersecurity. The tech industry, with its enormous impact on society, needs to lead the way
in creating inclusive environments and products as demonstrated by companies like Salesforce and
Microsoft.

By promoting diversity and inclusion, actively listening to employees, and creating products that meet the
needs of all users, leaders can pave the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future. The
time for empathetic leadership in cybersecurity is now, and the benefits it brings will undoubtedly shape
the industry's future for the better.

About the Author

Lauren Neal is the Founder and Chief Programme Creator of Valued at Work.
She has worked in the energy sector since 2005 and is a chartered engineer
and chartered project professional. Her book Valued at Work: Shining a Light
on Bias to Engage, Enable, and Retain Women in STEM released in October
2023 became an Amazon #1 best-seller.

Lauren can be reached online at http://linkedin.com/in/laurenneal/.

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